{"product_id":"the-branch-9781771385640","title":"The Branch","description":"When an ice storm snaps a small girl's favorite branch from the tree in her yard, she's crestfallen. The girl's mom says it's just a branch. But not to her! \"That was the branch I sat on, jumped from, played under. It was my castle, my spy base, my ship ...\" Luckily, her neighbor Mr. Frank understands. He says the branch has \"potential.\" \"What's potential?\" she asks. \"It means it's worth keeping.\" And so, with imagination and spirit, and Mr. Frank's guidance and tools, the girl transforms the broken branch into something whole and new, giving it another purpose, and her another place to treasure. In this endearing picture book, author Mireille Messier explores a young child's experience with loss and renewal. Though the little girl is heartbroken that her special perch in the tree is gone, the kindness and vision of her neighbor, combined with her own creativity and determination, help her recognize that it can have a new life in a different form. The charming intergenerational relationship adds depth and richness to the story, as it becomes clear they both offer something valuable to each other. The story is vividly and warmly illustrated by renowned, award-winning artist, Pierre Pratt. This book would work well for character education lessons on perseverance, teamwork and initiative. It also provides an excellent example of caring for the environment by reusing salvaged materials, making it a terrific pick for Maker Spaces and STEAM lessons.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Kids Can Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 09\/06\/2016\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781771385640\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 32\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.90lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 11.50h x 8.20w x 0.50d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview Citations: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 06\/01\/2016\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 07\/11\/2016\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 09\/01\/2016 pg. 128\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eHorn Book Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/01\/2016 pg. 63\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eHornbook Guide to Children\u003c\/i\u003e 01\/01\/2017 - Superior,Well Above Average\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAccelerated Reader Quiz #\/Name: \u003c\/b\u003e191109 \/ Branch\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReading Level:\u003c\/b\u003e 2.5 \/ \u003cb\u003eInterest Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Lower Grade \/ \u003cb\u003ePoint Value:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.5\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Mireille Messier","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43433887793333,"sku":"9781771385640","price":14.41,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_bfad4757-70c2-4e8b-8152-69dc510b9b2e.jpg?v=1703572016","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-branch-9781771385640","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}