Ellie and the Marriage List (One Extra Sparkle)
by Tricia Seabolt (Author) Lucy Rogers (Illustrator)
Ellie is ready to have the best summer ever. She's especially excited to draw under her favorite tree and hang out with her big brother, Ben. But all Ben seems to care about is impressing the new lip-glossy neighbor, Sara. And all Sara seems to care about is turning Ellie's brother into a Hawaii husband!
Luckily, Ellie's best friend, Ling, has the marriage list--a top-secret tool to track the lovebirds and stop a wedding before it starts. But nothing goes to plan, and while trying to rescue Ben, Ellie ends up putting the weeping willow in her garden in danger. Faced with losing everything she loves most, can Ellie find a way to win back her brother and save her beloved tree?
An utterly charming story about a lovable 10-year-old with Down syndrome whose extra sparkle never fails to shine bright.
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Kirkus
A warm tale of family and friendship.
ALA/Booklist
There's a happy ending for this relatable, spunky protagonist.
Publishers Weekly
According to 10-year-old Ellie, "Down Syndrome is my Superpower!" She even sports the slogan in glittery letters across her lucky T-shirt, which she pairs with an extra sparkly ring to help remind her "how extra cool she is." Assistance from her speech and physical therapists as well as encouragement from her older brother, Ben, help Ellie navigate difficulties pronouncing certain words and physical challenges relating to climbing. But when Ben befriends new neighbor Sara, Ellie worries that she's losing him. Her concerns are exacerbated by her best friend Ling, who claims that Sara wants to marry Ben and move to Hawaii, leaving Ellie behind for good. While Ellie's attempts to sabotage Sara and Ben's friendship lead to heartache on her end, support from her loving community bolsters Ellie as she works to unravel her complicated feelings and repair her sibling bond. Characters with varying disabilities--such as a tween who "was like most kids, just with less words mixed in"--are sensitively and organically portrayed by educator Seabolt in this wholesome slice-of-life debut, a series launch. Facts about Down syndrome conclude. Character interactions are rendered via grayscale illustrations by Rogers (Mara Hears in Style). Ages 7-11. (May)
Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
Ellie is well developed, and her cognitive, speech, and physical challenges are seamlessly integrated into the narrative. There's a happy ending for this relatable, spunky protagonist. —Booklist
JUV039150 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Special Needs
JUV077000 - Juvenile Fiction | Neurodiversity
Down syndrome
Weddings
Siblings
