13 Gifts (Willow Falls #3)
by Wendy Mass (Author)
Welcome back to Willow Falls, where anything is possible and nothing is as it seems!
It doesn't take long for Tara Brennan to realize that breaking into school to steal a goat is not a good idea. As punishment for her crimes, Tara's parents send her to the sleepy town of Willow Falls to stay with relatives she hardly knows, including her strange younger cousin Emily. Tara quickly learns that Emily isn't even remotely the strangest person in town. There's a boy who sings at the bottom of an empty pool, two best friends who use blackboards to communicate, and a girl who may or may not be dating the world's hottest teen movie star.Due to another lapse in judgment, Tara finds herself beholden to perhaps the strangest person of all: Angelina D'Angelo. If Tara can't collect thirteen mysterious objects for the old woman in time for her thirteenth birthday, the consequences will be REALLY BAD. With a big dose of birthday magic, Tara's adventures take her and her new friends to places they never thought they'd find, some in the real world, and a lot deep inside themselves.
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Kirkus
In equal parts philosophical and wryly humorous, this magical tale will satisfy both fans and new readers alike.
Copyright 2011 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with permission
School Library Journal
After a failed attempt at stealing a goat from her principal's office, Tara's punishment to spend her summer with relatives in the small town of Willow Falls. As she soon discovers, its inhabitants are anything but ordinary. Tara's younger cousin, Emily, stays up late to solve math theorems; David, who lives across the street, sings and chants in a hole in the backyard in preparation for his bar mitzvah; and best friends Amanda and Leo wear chalkboards to communicate with one another. These quirky kids and others help Tara as she seeks to collect 13 curious objects required by a mysterious woman in exchange for something essential not only to her, but also to the town. In her quest, she and her new friends dress up in Sunshine Kid uniforms, sneak into the historical society, and meet a celebrity heartthrob. Finally, on her 13th birthday, Tara comes to the realization that life is better spent in the game than on the sidelines. By fusing middle-school drama with just a sprinkle of magic and mystery, Mass provides an optimistic and genuine addition to the coming-of-age genre. Many readers will relate to Tara, a seventh-grade wallflower who gains self-confidence, friendship, and a true place in Willow Falls. Her narration has an authentic voice, allowing readers to experience her thoughts, motives, and feelings. Mass keeps the plot jumping like a fireworks display; there's one surprise spark after another, all coming together at the end for a breathtaking finale.—Mary-Brook J. Townsend, The McGillis School, Salt Lake City, UT
Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.JUV039020 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Adolescence
