A Tinfoil Sky- News, summary and reviews!
I am thrilled to announce that A Tinfoil Sky, has been nominated for the 2012-2013 Silver Birch Award, the 2013 Saskatchewan Young Readers Choice Award and shortlisted for the The CLA 2013 Children's Book of the Year and The 2013 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award! There are so many great books out there, and I am honoured to have my work included with that of other Canadian authors.
Summary:
At its heart, A Tinfoil Sky is the story of a twelve-year-old girl determined to beat incredible odds, and steer her own destiny, as she sweeps the reader along with her to that one special place called home.
“Girl,” Cecily said as they sped away from the curb, “we’re going home!”
This will be their eleventh move in four years, but from the way her mother says home Mel hopes Cecily means the place you can always go back to, that kind of home. And this time they aren’t leaving with no place to go. They are going to her grandmother’s.
Promises come easily to Cecily, but keeping those promises doesn’t.
When Mel’s grandmother refuses to let them in, Mel and Cecily live out of their broken-down station wagon. Mel sings for spare change on the street corners while Cecily falls into her old ways. Another promise is broken and this time there really is no place to go.
Reviews: Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read and review my books! Here are a few of the reviews:
“This book will capture your heart and refuse to let go.” Jagged Edge Reviews
"…while I always am hopeful that most children have comfortable, loving families that help them become the best they can be, I know that there are those like Mel's in which children become amazing people in spite of their families, not because." Canlit for Canadians Helen K.
“…a gritty and moving follow-up to her 2008 debut, Dear Toni…. Sand-Eveland doesn’t shy away from the reality of life on the streets….” – Quill & Quire
"…this depiction of wounded people forming healing bonds goes straight to the heart. " — Lynn Rutan Booklist
"An insightful book that accurately depicts reality for many children and families, A Tinfoil Sky is a must-buy for public and school library collections alike. Highly Recommended." — Amy Dawley, teen librarian at the Prince George Public Library in Prince George, BC
"Mel’s restrained narration has a blunt eloquence; her voice is all the more gripping for being understated. Through subtle shifts in tone and perspective, Sand-Eveland movingly shows how Mel’s stoicism gives way to the cautious hope that she can actually realize her dreams, not abandon them as her mother has done." Sherie Posesorski is the author of two YA novels, Shadow Boxing and Old Photographs. National Post
“… A Tinfoil Sky brings to life the hard-hitting realities of homelessness, while still managing to create a sense of family, love, and hope. Sand-Eveland has crafted a set of believable, honest characters who will appeal to every emotion. This book is a quick read and would be a rich addition to any middle or high school library.”– Michigan Reading Journal
"This heartwarming story is a strong debut. Recommend it to fans of Richard Peck’s A Year Down Yonder (Dial, 2000)." School Library Journal–Melissa Stock, Arapahoe Library District, Englewood, CO
Order
Order the book from Amazon here. Order the book from Chapters here.