Touch Blue

by Cynthia Lord

Overview

An exquisite second novel from the Newbery Honor author of RULES! TOUCH BLUE, sure as certain, will touch your heart.

The state of Maine plans to shut down her island's schoolhouse, which would force Tess's family to move to the mainland--and Tess to leave the only home she has ever known. Fortunately, the islanders have a plan too: increase the numbers of students by having several families take in foster children. So now Tess and her family are taking a chance on Aaron, a thirteen-year-old trumpet player who has been bounced from home to home. And Tess needs a plan of her own--and all the luck she can muster. Will Tess's wish come true or will her luck run out?

Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord offers a warm-hearted, humorous, and thoughtful look at what it means to belong--and how lucky we feel when we do. Touch Blue, sure as certain, will touch your heart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545035316
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	08/01/2010
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.90(d)
Lexile:	750L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Cynthia Lord is the award-winning author of RULES, a Newbery Honor book (among its many distinctions), as well as the critically acclaimed TOUCH BLUE, released August, 2010. She made her picture book debut with HOT ROD HAMSTER. She lives in Maine with her family. Visit her at cynthialord.com.

Editorial Reviews

As she did in the Newbery Honor-winning Rules, Lord introduces a plucky, articulate girl from coastal Maine. When Tess's best friend's family moves away and there are no longer enough students to keep her island school open, her family is among those that offer to take in foster children to boost enrollment. Awaiting the arrival of Aaron, her teenage foster brother, Tess--an avid collector of good-luck talismans--is thrilled to find a piece of blue sea glass, since blue is especially lucky: "Touch blue and your wish will come true." Lord interlaces themes of loss, luck, superstition, family, and belonging, but at the heart of this tightly woven story is Tess's longing to help Aaron overcome his hurt and anger at having been taken from his alcoholic mother (years before) and shuffled among foster homes, and to make him feel like he's part of her close-knit family. His mother's unannounced appearance (at Tess's bold, clandestine invitation) at a talent show in which Aaron plays the trumpet adds tension and pathos to the finale of this stirring novel. Ages 9-12. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

Gr 4–7—Eleven-year-old Tess is dismayed when she finds out her Bethsaida Island, Maine, school might close due to lack of students. When Reverend Beal comes up with a plan to revive the school population by having some townspeople take in foster children. Tess's family takes in Aaron, 13. The girl's steps and missteps as she tries to connect with him and make him feel welcome pull at the heartstrings. All Aaron wants is to go back to live with his alcoholic mother again. All Tess wants is for him to want to stay. Each chapter is headed with a folk saying which helps develop the story. Cynthia Lord's moving story (Scholastic, 2010) about the meaning of home is told by Erin Moon with heartwarming clarity and feeling. For fans of Megan McDonald's Sisters Club series.—Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix Public Library, AZ

School Library Journal