Publisher Description

A story about small acts of courage from the author of A Crooked Kind of Perfect. Do not let a mop sit overnight in water. Fix things before they get too big for fixing. Custodial wisdom: Mattie Breen writes it all down. She has just one week to convince Uncle Potluck to take her on as his custodial apprentice at Mitchell P. Anderson Elementary School. One week until school starts and she has to be the new girl again. But if she can be Uncle Potluck's apprentice, she'll have important work to do during lunch and recess. Work that will keep her safely away from the other fifth graders. But when her custodial wisdom goes all wrong, Mattie's plan comes crashing down. And only then does she begin to see how one small, brave act can lead to a friend who is hound dog true.

Author Biography

LINDA URBAN, the former marketing director at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena, California, now writes children's books full-time. A Crooked Kind of Perfect is her first novel. She lives in Montpelier, Vermont.

Review Quote

* "Urban traces a highly self-conscious child's cautious emergence from her shell in this tender novel." - Publishers Weekly, starred review * "This outstanding, emotionally resonant effort will appeal to middle-grade readers."- Kirkus , starred review "Internal drama, compelling characters, and Mattie's strong voice propel the story of learning to do "a small brave thing."- Booklist * "There are many books that offer adventure and twists and unusual story lines. Most of them do not offer young readers such fine writing and real characters. That is hook enough."- School Library Journal, starred review

Excerpt from Book

Uncle Potluck said when he talked to the moon, the moon talked back. Mama laughed. "Same old Potluck," she said, but he''d already grabbed his hat. Already looked at Mattie, eyebrows up, saying, "It''s hound dog true." Already opened the door to the night. Out they went, out past the bean tepees and tomato cages and the stone rabbit standing guard, Mattie matching Uncle Potluck''s steps in the garden dirt. Out they went beyond the tangle of pumpkin vines and the backyard house Miss Sweet was renting. "Few more days, you''ll know this place by heart," Uncle Potluck said. "Won''t need me showing you the way." Mattie was not so sure. It was dark out here, without streetlights and golden arches and headlights graying up the sky. Uncle Potluck had grown up in this yard. Mama, too. Likely it would take till Mattie grew up before she could path her way through the night. Up they went, up the rise to the edge of the woods, to the flat rock ledge by the apple tree. Uncle Potluck looked up and Mattie looked up, up to where the moon ought to be. Uncle Potluck whispered, "She''s hiding behind the skirts of Mama Night, you know?" Mattie knew. Uncle Potluck leaped up on that rock. Put his hat to his heart. "Miss Moon," he called. "Miss Moon, come on out, sweetheart." Uncle Potluck waited and Mattie waited till a breeze came by, thinning the clouds. "You''ve got to trust the moon, if you want the moon to trust you," he said, handing Mattie his hat. He wanted her to talk, Mattie knew. Wanted her to introduce herself, say something fine, but Mattie could not find a word in that dark. She put on Uncle Potluck''s hat, let it fall down over her eyes. Chapter One The stick man has bolts of cartoon electricity shooting out of him. Attention! Avertissement! it says over his head. Atenci

Description for Bookstore

Hardcover edition: $15.99 CL/$18.99 CAN 978-0-547-55869-1

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