Canned and Crushed

(Hardback)

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Description

Fourth grades tough. But how much trouble can one kid get into when hes just trying to help his sister

When Sandro Zapote finds out his little sister needs heart surgery, he is determined to help his parents raise the money so she can get treatment. Sandros dad is in the States illegally and must work two jobs to support the family. For one, he picks up roadkill for the department of streets and sanitation and gets paid by the carcass. For the other, he collects scrap metal to recycle for cash. Sandro helps his dad with some of the scrap metal heavy lifting, and one headboard, a weight bench, some gutters, and a few car parts later, Sandro has a brilliant idea: can collecting. Save the environment. Save his sister. Maybe even save some spending money for the fabulous, fast new bike hes been coveting.

Well-meaning and with funny inner monologue, Sandro is the kind of person you cant help but cheer for. Hes a boy who loves drawing, soccer, and his little sister. And whether hes fishing a fuzzy, dust-coated turtle out from under his sisters bed or organizing a school-wide can drive all by himself, Sandro is a smart, self-aware hero who makes just a few mistakes along the way.

Reviews

"[A] never-a-dull-moment debut....fitted with an admirable, funny protagonist."Kirkus Reviews

"Belford compassionately reveals that theres far more to Sandro than just his misbehavior; his familys poverty and immigration worries lead Sandro to take on far more than an 11-year-old should. Sandros breezy, conversational narrative, often directed at the reader, offsets the weight of his troubles in this eye-opening story that will likely resonate with a wide audience."Booklist

"Belfords debut contains complex characterization: Sandro is affable and witty, yet his quick temper and poor decision-making will ring true to young readers....readers are likely to stick with Sandro till the sweet, wobbly end."School Library Journal

"Holy guacamole! Youve got to meet soccer star Sandro, whose brain is as quick as his feetwhich is good because between chasing a turtle whos an escape artist, helping his dad collect roadkill, and conquering fourth grade, hes got to move fast. Luckily, Sandros the kind of kid who puts the can in can-do and the fun in funny. Youll laugh out loud at Sandros adventures, sympathize with his foul-ups, and cheer for his wins. Also, watch out: youll never look at duct tape or fourth grade the same way again!" Valerie Tripp, best-selling author of the American Girl series books

"Sandro is the type of kid you rush to sit by in the cafeteria just so you can hear what he says or see what he does next. Canned and Crushed will charm you, as Sandro is a sweet-hearted, accident-prone mischief-maker you wont forget. The only thing bigger than the messes he finds himself in is his heart." Beth Vrabel, author of Pack of Dorks
"[A] never-a-dull-moment debut....fitted with an admirable, funny protagonist."Kirkus Reviews

"Belford compassionately reveals that theres far more to Sandro than just his misbehavior; his familys poverty and immigration worries lead Sandro to take on far more than an 11-year-old should. Sandros breezy, conversational narrative, often directed at the reader, offsets the weight of his troubles in this eye-opening story that will likely resonate with a wide audience."Booklist

"Belfords debut contains complex characterization: Sandro is affable and witty, yet his quick temper and poor decision-making will ring true to young readers....readers are likely to stick with Sandro till the sweet, wobbly end."School Library Journal

"Holy guacamole! Youve got to meet soccer star Sandro, whose brain is as quick as his feetwhich is good because between chasing a turtle whos an escape artist, helping his dad collect roadkill, and conquering fourth grade, hes got to move fast. Luckily, Sandros the kind of kid who puts the can in can-do and the fun in funny. Youll laugh out loud at Sandros adventures, sympathize with his foul-ups, and cheer for his wins. Also, watch out: youll never look at duct tape or fourth grade the same way again!" Valerie Tripp, best-selling author of the American Girl series books

"Sandro is the type of kid you rush to sit by in the cafeteria just so you can hear what he says or see what he does next. Canned and Crushed will charm you, as Sandro is a sweet-hearted, accident-prone mischief-maker you wont forget. The only thing bigger than the messes he finds himself in is his heart." Beth Vrabel, author of Pack of Dorks

Author Bio

Bibi Belford graduated with a B.A. in English from Westmont College and has worked as a playground supervisor for children of migrant workers and was a student teacher in a bilingual classroom before completing her masters in Bilingual Literacy at Northern Illinois University. She currently works as a literacy coach and reading interventionist for an elementary school in Illinois. She is the mother of four grown children and lives in Batavia, Illinois.