Theresa Nelson

Winner of the Washington Irving Children’s Choice Award A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Selection of the Junior Library Guild Star light, star bright . . . Elvira wishes for a mother and finds instead the father she scarcely knew she had.

“The great hurricane that devastated Galveston in 1900 is the centerpiece of [this] tightly knit novel. The writing is powerful. A fine work, integrating nature with character.” —The Horn Book, starred review “Nelson’s strong sense of place, poetic style and inspired characterization make this far more than just an enthralling adventure.” —Kirkus Reviews

Escaping into the fantasy world of the movies, where fathers don't disappear, mothers have no secrets, and little brothers don't cry over missing stuffed animals, twelve-year-old Ruby Miller, while performing community service for a crime she didn't commit, is forced to face the reality of her life. An ALA Notable Book. Reprint.