Publisher Description

"Olive Barstow was dead. She'd been hit by a car on Monroe Street while riding her bicycle weeks ago. That was about all Martha knew."

Martha Boyle and Olive Barstow could have been friends. But they weren't — and now all that is left are eerie connections between two girls who were in the same grade at school and who both kept the same secret without knowing it.

Now Martha can't stop thinking about Olive. A family summer on Cape Cod should help banish those thoughts; instead, they seep in everywhere.

And this year Martha's routine at her beloved grandmother's beachside house is complicated by the Manning boys. Jimmy, Tate, Todd, Luke, and Leo. But especially Jimmy. What if, what if, what if, what if? The world can change in a minute.

Author Biography

Kevin Henkes is the author and illustrator of many books Kevin Henkes is the author and illustrator of many books Kevin Henkes is the author and illustrator of many books Kevin Henkes is the author and illustrator of many books for children of all ages--among them are "Lilly's Purple Pl for children of all ages--among them are "Lilly's Purple Pl for children of all ages--among them are "Lilly's Purple Pl for children of all ages--among them are "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse", "Chrysanthemum", and "Wemberly Worried". He waastic Purse", "Chrysanthemum", and "Wemberly Worried". He waast

Review

"An eloquent journey into adolescence."--Florida Times-Union "Few girls will fail to recognize themselves in Martha."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Henkes's story is subtle and satisfyingly untidy. Grabs you right from the start."--Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) "Lyrically written."--Seattle Times "Martha Boyle is one of the memorable 12-year-old girls of fiction, smart, confused, compassionate."--KLIATT (starred review) "Rich characterizations move this compelling novel to its satisfying and emotionally authentic conclusion."--School Library Journal (starred review) "The ever versatile Kevin Henkes dazzles with this spare yet profoundly touching coming-of-age novel."--Family Fun Magazine "With beautifully defined characters, events, and emotions that will tug at your heart, this novel is flawless."--Daily Item "With his usual sensitivity and insight, Henkes explores key issues of adolescence."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Prizes

Commended for Newbery Medal (Children's) 2004
Commended for L.A. Times Book Prize (Young Adult Fiction) 2003
Short-listed for Bluebonnet Awards 2006
Short-listed for Young Reader's Choice Award (Junior/Grades 4-6) 2006
Short-listed for North Carolina Children's Book Award (Junior Book) 2005
Short-listed for Virginia Readers Choice Award (Middle School) 2006
Short-listed for Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award 2005
Short-listed for Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award 2005

Review Quote

"With his usual sensitivity and insight, Henkes explores key issues of adolescence."

Description for Library

On a summer visit to her grandmother's cottage by the ocean, twelve-year-old Martha gains perspective on the death of a classmate, on her relationship with her grandmother, on her feelings for an older boy, and on her plans to be a writer.

Details