Catch Me When I Fall

(Paperback)

Available Formats

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Set in Racine, Wisconsin during the Great Depression, Catch Me When I Fall is the story of one gutsy twelve-year-old girl's quest to learn the identity of her father, the father her mother refuses to talk about. What's the big secret When Emma finds a photograph hidden in her mother's bureau AND spots a circus poster featuring Filippo the Flying Wonder, she believes she's stumbled on the truth. The aerialist's resemblance to the man in the secret photo is too close to be coincidence. Rebelling against her mother's warning not to go near the circus, Emma disguises herself as a boy and lands a job with the circus, determined to unravel the dark mystery that haunts her. It is here, amidst the sawdust and illusions of circus life, that Emma makes discoveries about her past that ultimately help her accept herself for who she truly is.

Reviews

"Come join the circus! Live its smells, its sights, its fantastic strangeness! And do it all through Emma, Bonnie Graves' determined and appealing heroine. Catch Me When I Fall will stay with you for a long time." Marion Dane Bauer, author of Newbery Honor book, On My Honor " Catch Me When I Fall combines a spunky heroine, an enticing portrait of the circus in its heyday, and a richly detailed Depression-era Wisconsin setting, resulting in a book that middle-grade readers and their teachers will definitely enjoy. Bonnie Graves nails both longing and laughter in this accessible chapter book." Lee Galda, Marguerite Henry Professor of Children's and Young Adult Literature, Emerita "Move over, Pippi Longstocking and Anne of Green Gables! Bonnie Graves masterfully creates an indelible heroine in Emma Monroe, a plucky twelve year old with a backstory that will break your heart and make you giggle." Deborah Appleman, Hollis L. Caswell Professor of Educational Stufies, Carleton College; author of 12 books of teaching of literature to adolescents " Catch Me When I Fall l will draw in readers who dream of adventure and enjoy getting lost in the glossy veneer of a time gone by. They will love discovering with Emma that, even outside the circus grounds, wonders can lie around every turn." Susanna Paterson, K-8 Librarian "Bonnie Graves masterfully creates an indelible heroine in Emma Monroe, a plucky twelve year old with a backstory that will break your heart and a sense of humor and adventure that will make you giggle." Deborah Appleman, Hollis L. Caswell Professor of Educational Studies, Carleton College, author of 12 books of teaching of literature to adolescents

Author Bio

Author of dozens of children's books, both fiction and non-fiction, and professional books on teaching reading, Bonnie Graves spent her growing-up years in Wisconsin and Southern California. A former elementary school teacher, Bonnie's work has been honored with Work-in-Progress grants from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the Minnesota Arts Board, first place in literary contests sponsored by the Loft Literary Center and also the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, and her chapter book, Taking Care of Trouble, received a South Carolina Children's Choice Award. She currently lives in Bloomington, Minnesota.