Still Sal

(Paperback)

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"Filled with emotionally complex characters and riveting, poignant moments, along with plenty of humor,Still Salis not to be missed." BookPage (starred review)

Kirkus Best Middle Grade Books of 2024!

A stand-alone companion to two-time Newbery Honor author Kevin Henkess award-winning and acclaimed The Year of Billy Miller. With themes of family, friendship, and resilience, this very funny school story focuses on Billys little sister, Sal, and her first day of school. For fans of Ramona, Ivy + Bean, and Dory Fantasmagory.

Sal has been looking forward to first grade for a long time. But her excitement quickly turns to disappointment when she learns that her best friend, Griff, is in the other first-grade classroom and has the most popular teacher. Then Sals name is spelled wrong on her name tag, she trips in front of the cool fifth graders, and her self-portrait doesnt turn out the way she wanted it to. In fact, everything about school is an absolute disaster. Poor Sal!

Luckily for Sal, she has understanding parents, a terrific new teacher, and empathetic friends who remind her that it takes time to adjust to change. And sure enough, after a few days, Sal feels like herself again.

Still Sal highlights themes of family, friendship, social and emotional growth, resilience, and adapting to change. The fourth stand-alone book in the Miller Family sequence includes black-and-white illustrations by Caldecott Medal winner Kevin Henkes on almost every page and is an excellent choice for early elementary grades, for readers ready for a short novel, and for family and classroom read-alouds.

Reviews

Sal Millers sense of self is shaken just before the start of first grade. . . . Henkes graceful, easy prose, sharp insights, and impressive ability to convey the way children think shine here. He invites readers to empathize with Sal, feeling her disappointment and annoyance with a world that doesnt always understand her as well as the satisfaction with small victories that bring her back to herself. . . . A delightful, understated triumph. Kirkus Reviews(starred review) Sometimes poignant, sometimes amusing. . . .An engaging, perceptive early chapter book. Booklist (starred review) Sal Miller is six. Her life is changing so much. . . . Henkes again navigates the vicissitudes of his young protagonists life with warmth, humor, and utmost respect. . . . With gentle support from parents and teachers, Sal comes to understand that her life might change, but she is still Sal. Horn Book (starred review) "Filled with emotionally complex characters and riveting, poignant moments, along with plenty of humor,Still Salis not to be missed." BookPage (starred review)

Author Bio

Kevin Henkes has been praised both as a writer and as an illustrator and is the recipient of the Childrens Literature Legacy Award for his lasting contribution to literature for children. He receivedthe Caldecott Medal forKittens FirstFull Moon; Caldecott Honors forWaitingandOwen; two Newbery Honors, one forOlives Oceanand one forThe Year of Billy Miller; and Geisel Honors forWaitingandPenny and Her Marble. His other books includeThe World and Everything in It, A House,AParade of Elephants,Chrysanthemum, and the belovedLillys Purple Plastic Purse. Kevin Henkes lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin. Kevin Henkes has been praised both as a writer and as an illustrator and is the recipient of the Childrens Literature Legacy Award for his lasting contribution to literature for children. He receivedthe Caldecott Medal forKittens FirstFull Moon; Caldecott Honors forWaitingandOwen; two Newbery Honors, one forOlives Oceanand one forThe Year of Billy Miller; and Geisel Honors forWaitingandPenny and Her Marble. His other books includeThe World and Everything in It, A House,AParade of Elephants,Chrysanthemum, and the belovedLillys Purple Plastic Purse. Kevin Henkes lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin.