by Cynthia Lord
Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Feb 2014
224 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publication Information
When Lucy's family moves to an old house on a lake, Lucy tries to see her new home through her camera's lens, as her father has taught her - he's a famous photographer, away on a shoot. Will her photos ever meet his high standards? When she discovers that he's judging a photo contest, Lucy decides to enter anonymously. She wants to find out if her eye for photography is really special - or only good enough.
As she seeks out subjects for her photos, Lucy gets to know Nate, the boy next door. But slowly the camera reveals what Nate doesn't want to see: his grandmother's memory is slipping away, and with it much of what he cherishes about his summers on the lake. This summer, Nate will learn about the power of art to show truth. And Lucy will learn how beauty can change lives ... including her own.
"Starred Review. With winning results, Lord brings the same sensitivity to the subject of dementia that she brought to autism in her Newbery Honor book, Rules (2006). Ages 8-12." - Kirkus
"Through Lucy's thoughts and actions, Lord elegantly conveys how complex stories can be told through moments frozen in time. Ages 8–12." - Publishers Weekly
"Catherine is an endearing narrator who tells her story with both humor and heartbreak. ...A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter" - School Library Journal
This information about Half a Chance was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Cynthia Lord is the award-winning author of Rules, a Newbery Honor and Schneider Family Book Award winner, as well as the critically acclaimed Touch Blue. She made her picture book debut with Hot Rod Hamster, which won several awards including the Parents' Choice Award, and followed it with the beloved sequel Happy Birthday, Hamster. She lives in Maine with her family. Visit her at www.CynthiaLord.com.
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