Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess

Gr 4-6--Eleven-year-old Macy McMillan, who is deaf, is struggling with a few challenges: accepting her mother's new marriage, moving to a new house, adjusting to a stepfather and six-year-old twin stepsisters, and completing a genealogy project. When Macy's mother arranges for her to help elderly neighbor Iris pack up her belongings before moving to an assisted living facility, Macy is annoyed, then intrigued. While Macy sorts and packs boxes of books, Iris writes notes to answer Macy's questions (Iris doesn't know sign language) and bakes cookies to lift Macy's spirits. Discovering interesting facts about Iris (for instance, her name translates to "Goddess of the Rainbow") and her life story helps Macy realize that everyone makes mistakes, misjudges others, gets angry, feels alone at times, and ultimately changes "in ways you never imagined." The genealogy project she dreads ultimately evolves into the story of the people who have impacted Macy's life. The novel-in-verse structure is clever, engaging, and accessible. Macy's deafness is skillfully woven into the story, adding depth and complexity to her characterization and relationships with others. Her first-person narrative appears in regular type, sign language is spaced in bold type, and written communication is in italics. With candor and angst, Macy shares her sorrow over an argument with her best friend, her desire to stop her mother from getting married, her determination not to like her stepfather, and her affection for aging Iris. VERDICT Macy's coming-of-age anxieties, observations, and insights will resonate with middle grade readers. A strong purchase for public and school libraries.--Gerry Larson, formerly at Durham School of the Arts, NC

About Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess

2018 ALA Schneider Family Book Award, Middle Grade Books Winner

2018 IODE Violet Downey Book Award shortlist

2019 Chocolate Lily Award: Novel category nominee

2018 Forest of Reading Silver Birch Fiction shortlist

2018 SYRCA Diamond Willow Award shortlist

2018 USBBY Outstanding International Books List, Grades 6-8 selection

2018 Horn Book, "August 2018 Back-to-School Horn Book Herald: Intermediate" selection

2017 Cybils Award, Poetry Book nominee

2017 Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids & Teens selection

2017 Junior Library Guild selection

"Green's free verse makes this a quick, accessible read, focusing on Macy's realistic reluctance to share her mother and her gradual acceptance of the changes in her life....Macy's deafness is a feature but not the focus..."—The Horn Book Magazine

"This touching novel in verse makes clever use of space on each page, not only visually acknowledging Macy's deafness, but inviting all readers to understand and process language in multiple ways. Green's story confronts life's challenges with depth and realism, creating a narrative that is sparse yet impactful, with characters that are bursting with life."—Booklist

"Macy's deafness is skillfully woven into the story, adding depth and complexity to her characterization and relationships with others....VERDICT Macy's coming-of-age anxieties, observations, and insights will resonate with middle grade readers. A strong purchase for public and school libraries."—School Library Journal

"The verse trails down the pages in narrow bands leaving plenty of white space. Even characters that are barely sketched emerge fully realized through the spare yet poignant narrative....Macy's life lessons are realistic and illuminating; that she is deaf adds yet another dimension to an already powerful tale."—Kirkus Reviews

"In this poignant verse novel, readers will be touched by the humor and heroism of Macy McMillian, who faces unwanted changes in her life...While Macy's deafness is a feature of the book, the focus is her gradual acceptance of the changes in her life. This novel in verse is an accessible read about the families we chose for ourselves and the power of stories."—ILA Literacy Daily, "More Poetry, Please"

"Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess is brimming with charm and plenty of references to other great books to appeal to the story lover in all of us....this heartfelt story shines with genuine hope and the promise that, no matter what challenges lie ahead of us, there is always a bright destination if we keep ourselves open to the unexpected people and opportunities that can help us get there."—BookPage

"One of the striking things about the characterization of Macy is that she is profoundly deaf, communicating primarily through sign language. Green's portrayal is highly authentic, and the various interactions Macy experiences are seamlessly introduced....Told as a verse-novel, in a light yet poignant style similar to Green's previous title, Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles, there is much to admire here including a clear plot line, rich character development, and sudden, incisive humour. In addition, it's clear that Macy is a young girl living in contemporary times rather than a projection of the author's own childhood, and the book's details, including its school and community settings, feel modern and accurate."—CM Magazine

"This deceptively simple novel-in-verse is a beautifully emotional, poetic treasure. Shari Green's writing is captivating and she has created...a complex, true-to-life, sensitive preteen girl....Green's writing is superbly lyrical, touching, and likely to stick with readers for a long time."—Resource Links

"Shari Green's beautifully crafted and affecting novel-in-verse provides a sensitive depiction of a young girl wrestling with change and learning some important life lessons in the process. The unlikely friendship that develops between Macy and her neighbour Iris (who is facing some major life changes of her own) as they bond over books and fresh-baked cookies, is heartwarming and inspiring....This book is a thoughtful reflection on what makes a family, the power of friendship and the sacredness of stories (our own and others)."—Canadian Children's Book News

"Written in blank verse, this pre-teen novel is easy to read with an almost poetic rhythm. Good for ages eight to 12."—Winnipeg Free Press

"I loved this book because it was written in free-verse poetry, which made it a more interesting and fun read. I felt that this book had the wonderful message that you can always find something good in life, no matter what happens!"—Hannah, Age 9, Kids' BookBuzz

"[A] heartwarming story..."—Omnilibros

"Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess is a message from the writing goddesses that everyone's life is just a story or series of stories that need to be told to be fully appreciated but no worries here because one of their scribes, Shari Green, has taken on that task capably and, like Iris, with wholehearted extravagance."—CanLit for LittleCanadians

"This verse novel is admirable. Its wonderful characters, memorable plot, perfectly chosen language and form, familiar settings, unwelcome changes and humor offer readers a very personal look at a young girl struggling to find her way. She does it with the help of family and friends. The stories, notes and cookies that Macy shares with her 'rainbow goddess' leads to a very unexpected friendship - and the heart of this very special book."—Sal's Fiction Addiction/p>

"Perfect middle grade free verse....[H]eartwarming and thought-provoking..."—The Loud Library Lady

"Macy is a wonderful character, and it's amazing to watch her grow..."—Book Time

"Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess is an absolutely charming story from start to finish that encourages cross-generation friendships and getting to know someone before making judgements. I highly recommend."—Bookish Notions

"[H]eartwarming and heartbreaking all at once....Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess would be a welcome addition to every school library and school curriculum. Besides being a master class in verse writing, it is also a master class in telling stories about how relationships, and looking beyond the exterior, can change the way we look at the world."—Middle Grade Minded

"I fell for Macy instantly....Everything about this book was wonderful."—The Mystical Skeptic

"Some stories are just made for the verse novel format. This is one of them. Pacing is tight and word choice is solid....I also appreciated that while Macy is deaf, its not the sum total of her character."—The One and Only Marfalfa

"I loved that Green has chosen a deaf girl for a heroine, and the story is not about being deaf. Deafness is just part of who Macy is...I appreciated the reminder that, while change may be unwelcome, it can also bring wonderful things. Give [Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess] to anyone who enjoys books about intergenerational relationships, or who needs help with some unwelcome change."—The Librarian is on the Loose

"I loved this one. I really liked Macy. But I loved, loved, loved Iris. Together these two make for a GREAT read....Macy is a flawed heroine—my favorite kind. So in terms of characterization, this one was wonderful. The language—the writing—was great."—Becky's Book Reviews

"[A] sweet read....I love the diversity - yes, Macy is deaf, but the disability doesn't drive the story. A great story of empathy."—Kiss the Book

"The poetry and type face help to express both Macy's emotional state and the rhythm of sign....Five stars."—Puss Reboots

"This heartwarming story unfolds a beautiful bond between the elder 'rainbow goddess' and the younger 'seeker of comfort'....The book is written beautifully in free verse and the characters are well developed....I highly recommend this book."—StoryWraps