Blooming at the Texas Sunrise Motel

Description

Stevie's life seems safe and full of love until the day tragedy strikes. Stevie is sent to live with her estranged grandfather Winston at his rundown motel. Though the colorful tenants who inhabit the motel are quickly charmed by Stevie, she struggles to connect with her grandfather. What dark secret is he keeping from her? It will take another difficult departure before Winston realizes just how strongly Stevie has taken root at the motel--and in his heart. With unwavering emotion and masterful storytelling, National Book Award-winning author Kimberly Willis Holt explores themes of loss, family, love, and the importance of finding a place to call home. A Christy Ottaviano Book

Kimberly Willis Holt is the author of many award-winning novels for young adults and children, including The Water Seeker, My Louisiana Sky, Dear Hank Williams, and When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, winner of a National Book Award for Young People's Literature. She is also the author of the bestselling Piper Reed series. Born in Pensacola, Florida, Holt has lived all over the U.S. and the world. She now lives in Texas with her family. kimberlywillisholt.com

A TLA Spirit of Texas Reading List Selection A VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers Selection A Dorothy Canfield Fisher Master List Selection A Kansas NEA Reading Circle Master List Selection [Stevie's] first-person narration maintains an honest point of view, and her reactions are consistent and believable. Holt crafts a satisfying arc of growth and redemption.-Horn Book Holt brings [the plot] to vivid life, drawing on the folkloric and moody appeal of the story while keeping the individual details compelling.--The Bulletin Stevie's journey is deftly narrated with candor, angst, and compassion. Character portraits are diverse and well drawn. Stevie's small town life is rich in family secrets, quiet discoveries, and evolving relationships. Universal themes of grief, family, love, and loyalty are conveyed through the understated prose.-School Library Journal Holt . . .returns to the South to tell a tender, character-driven story, this time of a girl discovering her roots. . .This gently told narrative will appeal to readers of heartfelt, realistic fiction.-Booklist [Stevie] processes her grief and her new relationships with a winning combination of grace, mistakes, humor, contemplation, and determination. . . Endearing and imperfect, Stevie establishes immediate rapport with readers.-Kirkus Reviews Praise for Dear Hank Williams: "*The strength of this novel lies in the insight Tate develops as she deals with tragedy and depends on the love of family. VERDICT Artfully told, this middle grade novel pleases on many levels." --Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH, School Library Journal, starred review "With tidbits of history woven throughout and the rich cast of characters, especially an endearing protagonist, Dear Hank Williams is a novel that sings from the heart." --VOYA, starred review "Soulful and satisfying." --Kirkus Reviews "A heartbreaking revelation at the book's end secures Tate's place as a lovable protagonist, while opening the door to a hopeful future." --Booklist "While readers will find plenty to love and to revisit if encountering this novel on their own, the snappy pace, engaging tone, and epistolary format make this an engaging classroom read aloud, with the skillful exposition and the incorporation of historical details providing discussion fodder and potential curricular connection." --The Bulletin Praise for When Zachary Beaver Came to Town: Winner of the 1999 National Book Award for Young People's Literature This book packs more emotional power than 90% of the so-called grown-up novels taking up precious space on bookshelves around the country.--USA Today Holt may not take her readers on wild flights of fantasy, but her quiet novel offers a slice of life that's hard to resist.--The New York Times Book Review In her own down-to-earth, people, smart way, Holt offers a gift. . . . It is a lovely--at times even giddy--date with real life.--The Horn Book, starred review Praise for My Louisiana Sky: An unusually auspicious debut.--Publishers Weekly, starred review This lyrical first novel brings fresh perspective to the guilt and anger and caring that surround the mentally disabled. All the characters . . . are drawn with warmth but no patronizing reverence.--Booklist, starred review