Bluefish

Thirteen-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.

Travis 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.

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Published: 09/13/2011
ISBN: 9780763653347
Pages: 240
Weight: 0.80lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.80w x 0.90d
Award: Children's Book Committee Award - Winner
Award: Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Recommended
Award: Black-Eyed Susan Award - Nominee
Award: E.B. White Read Aloud Award - Finalist
Award: Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: William Allen White Childens Book Award - Nominee
Award: Volunteer State Book Awards - Nominee
Award: Volunteer State Book Awards - Nominee
Award: California Young Reader Medal - Nominee

Review Citations: Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2011
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 10/01/2011 - Book Of Special Distinction
Horn Book Magazine 11/01/2011 pg. 111
School Library Journal 12/01/2011 pg. 129
Shelf Awareness 11/29/2011
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2012 pg. 111 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 145763 / Bluefish
Reading Level: 4 / Interest Level: Middle Grade Plus / Point Value: 6