Annie’s Life in Lists

Ten–year-old Annie loves to keep lists, and along with dynamic spot drawings, they make up this creative and engaging debut. The topics include “Five things about my memory,” which demonstrates Annie’s ability to recall seemingly insignificant details about the people she meets, and “Three ways my family reacted to the news about the move,” which addresses the responses of Annie’s parents and older brother as the family relocates from Brooklyn to the small town of Clover Gap just before Annie begins fifth grade. Annie is worried that the move is her fault; she accidentally revealed to her former principal that the family lied about their address to get her into a better school. Then, however, she finds a severance-agreement letter to her father that suggests another reason for relocating. The family’s financial struggles are realistically wrought, and their adjustment to small-town life results in some very entertaining lists, such as “Five ways my parents and I looked out of place at our first Clover Gap High football game.” Readers will sympathize with Annie’s struggles to make new friends and adapt to a new life in this coming-of-age story that’s filled with humor and heart. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Sarah Burnes, the Gernert Co. [em](May) [/em]