{"product_id":"bluefish-isbn-9780763653347","title":"Bluefish","description":"\u003cb\u003eThirteen-year-old Travis has a secret: he can't read. But a shrewd teacher and a sassy girl are about to change everything in this witty and deeply moving novel.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTravis is missing his old home in the country, and he’s missing his old hound, Rosco. Now there’s just the cramped place he shares with his well-meaning but alcoholic grandpa, a new school, and the dreaded routine of passing when he’s called on to read out loud. But that’s before Travis meets Mr. McQueen, who doesn’t take “pass” for an answer — a rare teacher whose savvy persistence has Travis slowly unlocking a book on the natural world. And it’s before Travis is noticed by Velveeta, a girl whose wry banter and colorful scarves belie some hard secrets of her own. With sympathy, humor, and disarming honesty, Pat Schmatz brings to life a cast of utterly believable characters — and captures the moments of trust and connection that make all the difference.A lovely, understated book that celebrates the possibility of a kind and humane  friendship between an eighth-grade girl and boy...this novel is also an ode to the significance of reading in  the lives of young people and to a teacher who knows the power literature can  wield. Unique and original, believable and poignant, this is a book with power  of its own.\u003cbr\u003e—The Horn Book (starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReaders seeking emotional warmth, congenial humor, and an affirmation of  forgiveness and friendship will cozy up to these characters.\u003cbr\u003e—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDespite the weighty problems the characters face-grief, alcoholism, and bullying  among them-Bluefish is a lively, often-humorous, and ultimately hopeful  page-turner. It has all the hallmarks of a classic contemporary young adult  issues novel. It's packed with memorable and believable characters and powered  by the prospect of redemption and just a hint of romance.\u003cbr\u003e—School Library Journal (starred review)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA young teen loner gradually learns to accept the friendship of an outspoken girl in this problem novel filled with likable, idiosyncratic characters.… A story rife with unusual honesty and hope.\u003cbr\u003e—Kirkus Reviews\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat makes Bluefish compelling is the unorthodox way the characters reveal their secrets and ultimately join forces to break hurtful social labels.  Readers will identify with the middle school setting and the well-written characters.\u003cbr\u003e—Library Media Connection\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe story is well written and deals realistically with issues that plague many  teens.\u003cbr\u003e—Booklist Online\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis inspiring novel demonstrates how two teens with survivor instincts and a little guidance from a couple of perceptive adults choose a different path than the one they were born into. Schmatz keeps their situation realistic while also emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities when they present themselves.\u003cbr\u003e—Shelf Awareness\u003cb\u003ePat Schmatz \u003c\/b\u003eis the author of three previous novels for teens. She lives in rural Wisconsin.","brand":"Candlewick","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46300868739301,"sku":"NP9780763653347","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780763653347.jpg?v=1767722858","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/bluefish-isbn-9780763653347","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}