Description
From Boston Globe–Horn Book Award winner Laurel Croza comes a mesmerizing collection of short stories about the whirlpool of adolescence.
Charity takes small steps to escape her controlling father. Jasmine endures the rumors about her at school, even though no one really knows what happened last summer. The Oh! So Perfect Hair Dolly wishes for just the right child to take her home from the store. Nicola has a run-in with a classmate on her first day at a new school in the big city — or is the classmate a wolf in disguise? A squirrel ruminates on the nature of life and death. Dani fights for her dream, in spite of her father’s insistence that her older brother should be the one to play hockey. Mike finds the kind of family he has longed for in his coworkers at the restaurant where he works.
In these seven stories by Laurel Croza (author of the award-winning picture books I Know Here and From There to Here), five teenagers, a doll and a squirrel break out of the expectations placed upon them. Featuring beautiful black-and-white illustrations by Kelsey Garrity-Riley.
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.6
Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text.
Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels
- Age:
- 10 to 14
- Grade:
- 5 to 9
- Reading age:
- 10 to 14
Editorial Reviews
. . . the stories are beautifully written and described. This short story collection would be a great tool within the classroom . . .
— CM Magazine
There's a persistent yet subtle sense in every story of the strive to rise above the ordinary and gain a higher view. . . . A thoughtful read for a contemplative teen . . .
— School Library Journal
[P]acked with emotional growth ... With The Whirlpool, Laurel Croza has provided a worthwhile addition to the young CanLit collection of short story anthologies as it enlightens, reassures and inspires.
— CanLit for Little Canadians Blog
[A] highly recommended collection of seven short stories about a series of fascinating and unique characters.
— Resource Links
