At Home In A Faraway Place

(Hardback)

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Description

From Newbery Medal winner Lynne Rae Perkins, this short novel for younger middle grade readers explores themes of empathy, friendship, discovery, language, and the life-changing epiphanies of travel. Features black-and-white illustrations, including full spreads, comic panels, and vignettes throughout.

Lissie, her dad, and her grandmother travel to a faraway place, in a different part of the world in this short illustrated novel. Their destination is Guatemala, where RalDads friend from high schooland his family live. Lissie doesnt know how to speak Spanish, and initially the world is cloaked in mystery. But Lissie is a fearless explorer, both of language and new places, and soon she is embracing the sights and sounds, the delicious foods, the family stories and history, and the people she encounters. There are memorable discoveries and almost disasters, but mostly there are new friendsincluding a forever friend named Florywho Lissie hopes she will meet again one day. A gorgeous book about the joys and rewards of opening yourself up to new experiences. Illustrated in black and white throughout by the author.

Reviews

"In this conversational illustrated travelogue by Perkins. . . a tween discovers friendship that transcends a language barrier and the exhilarating mysteries of an unfamiliar environment. . . . Realistic full-page b&w illustrations punctuate the narrative, evoking a gentle episodic feel to the plot and emphasizing Lissie's wide-eyed insights." -- Publishers Weekly

Author Bio

Lynne Rae Perkins was awarded the Newbery Medal for Criss Cross. She is the author of one other book for teensAll Alone in the Universe, a companion to Criss Cross. Lynne Rae Perkins has also written and illustrated several picture books, including Snow Music, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book and a Book Sense Top Ten Pick. "Perkins is a genius at capturing the odd details that reveal so much about individuals and families, and how they interact," said Riverbank Review about her picture book The Broken Cat. The author lives with her family in northern Michigan.