The week Essie's father abandons her family, her classmate is kidnapped. After a startling incident with a family friend, Essie finds the strength to hold on tight to all that she has left. She explores how not to remain a victim when victimized in this story inspired by true events.
"A bonafide poet...Lorie Ann masterfully reveals a child grappling to understand, and to forgive."
Beth Kephart, National Book Award Finalist
"This is ultimately a tale of survival encased in an accessible format; share it with fans of domestic drama and cerebral first-person fiction."
The Bulletin
"The main strengths of this story are the immediacy of the poetry and the power of Essie as a narrator."
KLIATT
Three serious and painful issues are deftly woven together in this smartly written, moving, and thought-provoking novel-in-verse. Grover tackles heavy material without being dark or preachy. It is the perfect title to use as bibliotherapy for youth."
VOYA
*a VOYA Top Poetry Pick
*a Kansas State Reading Circle Middle School Title
On Pointe soars with emotion as it explores what it means to reach for a dream -- and the way that dreams can change as quickly and suddenly as do our lives. Clare learns to dream and then dream again.
"Words skip and slide across the pages with easy grace of a dancer. The book will ring true in excruciating detail to any pre-teen or teen involved in dance, but will also appeal to those with a passion for any from of artistic expression or sport. Highly recommended."
Puget Sound Parent
"Grover brings an air of authenticity to this well-wrought free-verse novel. The limber verse will keep the audience engrossed."
Publishers Weekly
"This affecting book offers thought-provoking perspectives instead of easy answers."
The Olympian
"The teen's voice rings true. This finely written novel touches on contemporary themes such as body image leading to bulimia, overly ambitious parents, and aging grandparents who can no longer live alone."
School Library Journal
*a Girls Life Top Ten Summer Read
*a Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award Nominee
*a Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
In a household of four generations of women, Grandma Margie discloses that she has a lump in her breast. Told through forthright and perceptive poems in teenager Kay's own voice, Loose Threads reverberates with emotion and depth and will leave no reader untouched.
"Like Virginia Euwer Wolff's free verse novels, Grover's book balances vivid emotional scenes with plenty of space between the words. Readers, especially those who know illness up close, will connect with Kay's secret worries and deep sadness, and will admire her strength."
Booklist Starred Review
"The poems reflect, with absolute honesty, the tumult, confusion, guilt, anger and grief that swirl around families facing a crisis."
Denver Post
"Any reader who has faced cancer, death, or just struggled to define his or her own truth will respond to this memorable heroine.
Publishers Weekly
"Read Loose Threads in one sitting. Could not put it down. Wow."
Nikki Grimes
*a Booklist Top 10 Youth First Novel
*a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
*a Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
*a Washington State Book Award Finalist
*a Rhode Island Teen Book Award Nominee
*a Hurricane Voices Breast Cancer Foundation Feature
