Booktalks Quick and Simple

	Stevens, April. THE HEART AND MIND OF FRANCES PAULEY New York : Schwartz & Wade, 2018 IL 3-6, RL 6.3 ISBN 978-1-52472-061-2
Click on the book to read Amazon reviews	Ever have one of those bad days where everything seems to be going wrong? Well, our 11-year-old Frances – (This is what Frances prefers to be called) has had more than a bad day, she’s had a pretty bad LONG TIME. She’s fighting with her perfect sister, struggles to find where she fits in at school, and she’s feeling like the only place she really wants to be is in nature. In fact, she loves nature so much, she brings it right into her room – sticks, rocks and other outdoor finds pepper her bedroom. Her mother has finally given up trying to keep the place clean, so Frances is free to make her bedroom as outside-like as she can. Even at night, she bundles up in heavy coats so that she can leave the window open even in freezing weather; she simply must be connected with nature! And so…Frances hangs out whenever she can on the rocks behind her house. There, she just sits and is happy being herself in the natural world; she observes and studies the crows in a similar way to her favorite person of all time – anthropologist Margaret Mead. This is where Frances’s spirit soars with those crows flying around; she’s at peace and knows who she is. At school, she likes being the smartest one in the class, but she realizes that other kids think she’s weird, so she keeps even more to herself – or is she being weird to keep them away? When a new kid comes to school and has all the answers, Frances feels even worse – as though she’s lost her place as the smart kid. The only person that seems to get her is Alvin, the elderly man who drives her school bus; he’s smart and funny, and Frances and Alvin form an unlikely friendship. Taking that bus each day gives her a sense of belonging – kind of like the peace she feels on the ledge behind her house. When a devastating tragedy strikes, will Frances finally find a way to fit in? Will she see that maybe, just maybe, the people she needs to lean on have been right there all along? Frances’s story helps readers see that being true to yourself, forgiving others, and being compassionate to others all need to find a balance. You’ll never forget this vibrant cast of characters – schoolmates, friends, and family members, but you’ll likely keep a special place in your heart for Alvin and especially for Frances. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2018-2019)
	SUBJECTS: Death -- Fiction. Friendship -- Fiction. Individuality -- Fiction.

Stevens, April.
THE HEART AND MIND OF FRANCES PAULEY
New York : Schwartz & Wade, 2018
IL 3-6, RL 6.3
ISBN 978-1-52472-061-2

Click on the book to read Amazon reviews

Ever have one of those bad days where everything seems to be going wrong? Well, our 11-year-old Frances – (This is what Frances prefers to be called) has had more than a bad day, she’s had a pretty bad LONG TIME. She’s fighting with her perfect sister, struggles to find where she fits in at school, and she’s feeling like the only place she really wants to be is in nature. In fact, she loves nature so much, she brings it right into her room – sticks, rocks and other outdoor finds pepper her bedroom. Her mother has finally given up trying to keep the place clean, so Frances is free to make her bedroom as outside-like as she can. Even at night, she bundles up in heavy coats so that she can leave the window open even in freezing weather; she simply must be connected with nature!

And so…Frances hangs out whenever she can on the rocks behind her house. There, she just sits and is happy being herself in the natural world; she observes and studies the crows in a similar way to her favorite person of all time – anthropologist Margaret Mead. This is where Frances’s spirit soars with those crows flying around; she’s at peace and knows who she is.

At school, she likes being the smartest one in the class, but she realizes that other kids think she’s weird, so she keeps even more to herself – or is she being weird to keep them away? When a new kid comes to school and has all the answers, Frances feels even worse – as though she’s lost her place as the smart kid. The only person that seems to get her is Alvin, the elderly man who drives her school bus; he’s smart and funny, and Frances and Alvin form an unlikely friendship. Taking that bus each day gives her a sense of belonging – kind of like the peace she feels on the ledge behind her house. When a devastating tragedy strikes, will Frances finally find a way to fit in? Will she see that maybe, just maybe, the people she needs to lean on have been right there all along? Frances’s story helps readers see that being true to yourself, forgiving others, and being compassionate to others all need to find a balance. You’ll never forget this vibrant cast of characters – schoolmates, friends, and family members, but you’ll likely keep a special place in your heart for Alvin and especially for Frances. (New Hampshire Great Stone Face nominee, 2018-2019)

SUBJECTS:     Death -- Fiction.
                        Friendship -- Fiction.
                        Individuality -- Fiction.