I’ve mentioned before that my tween daughter has a voracious appetite for books. It’s hard to keep up with her, especially considering I’m very careful about what she reads. I was lucky enough to have Canadian author Joanne Levy contact me and ask if my daughter would like to read her new book, Small Medium at Large.
The premise of the book is this:
After she’s hit by lightning at a wedding, twelve-year-old Lilah Bloom develops a new talent: she can hear dead people. Among them, there’s her overopinionated Bubby Dora; a prissy fashion designer; and an approval-seeking clown who livens up a séance. With Bubby Dora leading the way, these and other sweetly imperfect ghosts haunt Lilah through seventh grade, and help her face her one big fear: talking to—and possibly going to the seventh-grade dance with—her crush, Andrew Finkel.
What I saw was this:
A little girl smiling to herself as she read it. A little girl that would not put this book down. A little girl that laughed out loud several times and cried happy, mushy tears when it was finished. And I also know a little girl that has picked it up to read again.
To me, this is the sign of great book! I love when books sweep me away in the story and I find myself blurting my emotions out rather than holding them in. It’s so nice to see my daughter do this! I also have deep respect for authors who write for this age group. It takes a special talent to relate to kids at this age and not be too grown up for them. So, hats off to Joanne Levy.
You can order Small Medium at Large through Amazon or Chapters, and if you’d like a signed copy you can order it through the independent bookstore Bryan Prince Bookseller.
BUT, one lucky person here is going to win a signed copy for their tween! All you have to is follow @joannelevy on Twitter and leave a comment here with your Twitter name telling me you did. That’s it. Contest is open to Canadians (excluding Quebec) and readers in the United States. Contest will run until Tuesday, July 31st 11:59:59pm. Winner will be chosen using Random.org.
Wendy
Always looking for reading suggestions for DD11. Thanks and now following Joanne.
jess
Great to hear about this book dd will love it,now following @joannelevy
Laurie Pelletier
H would live this book! She loves to read!
Laurie Pelletier
Oh I did follow Joanne too!
Jodi @jl4rest
Am following Joanne! My daughter is a voracious reader, too, and it’s sometimes hard to find good/new books for her!
Jackie
I followed @joannelevy on twitter and I’m pretty excited about getting this book for my eleven year-old daughter!
Julie Cole
ohhhh…..would you believe this is the first time I’ve entered a contest?? My tweenies would like this! Followed Joanne.
Brandy @InsaneMamacita
Followed on Twitter! Love YA books (but it’s an occupational hazard as I used to be a YA librarian). Sounds like an interesting read!
Diane
I followed Joanne on twitter. Sounds like a great book for my daughter.