Amelia, protagonist of Kevin Henkes' Sweeping Up The Heart, lost her mother when she was so young that she has no memories of her. Since she has no siblings it's just her and her father.
"It was the beginning of spring break. She should have been happy, excited to be free of the curse of seventh grade for a week, but she felt a nagging disappointment in general, and sharp pinpricks of anger specifically directed toward her father."
This was one of the rare years that Amelia's spring break coincides with her father's. All her classmates are going somewhere fun. But her father doesn't like to travel, so she's stuck at home. And her best (actually only) friend is living in Paris for a year.
But when Amelia goes to the clay studio that she considers a second home she meets a boy her age, Casey, the owner's nephew. Despite her initial trepidation she begins to really like him. He has his struggles too, desperately trying to keep his parents from divorcing.
Amelia and Casey have been making up stories about the strangers they see. One day he tells her a woman is her mother somehow come back to life.
The characters of Amelia and Casey will be quite appealing to kids, especially those who face similar challenges.
On a purrrsonal note, yesterday was the first day of the UMaine Red Cross blood drive. Of course I ran canteen. There were a few hours we had no volunteers. Lisa, who runs the whole thing, came down and helped me. Having this time with her, given our busy schedules, was wonderful. And our undergrad donors were very impressed that we're long term best friends.
A great big shout out goes out to my incomparable bestie, the one and only Lisa Morin.
Jules Hathaway
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
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