Blooming at the Texas Sunrise Motel

by Kimberly Willis Holt (Author)

Blooming at the Texas Sunrise Motel
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Twelve-year-old Stevie attempts to brighten the lives of her cranky grandfather and the residents of his motel by planting a garden in this middle grade novel by National Book Award-winning author Kimberly Willis Holt. Stevie's world changes drastically when her parents are tragically killed and she is forced to live with her estranged grandfather at his run-down motel. After failed attempts to connect with her grandfather, Stevie befriends the colorful motel tenants and neighbors. Together, they decide to bring some color and life to the motel by planting a flower garden, against Stevie's grandfather's wishes. It will take Stevie's departure before her grandfather realizes just how needed she is by everyone. Blooming at the Texas Sunrise Motel explores themes of loss, family, and love, and gets at the heart of what it means to find a place to call home. A Christy Ottaviano Book Endearing and imperfect, Stevie establishes immediate rapport with readers. --Kirkus Reviews More from Kimberly Willis Holt: Skinny Brown Dog, Dear Hank Williams Dinner with the Highbrows, The Water Seeker, Keeper of the Night, When Zachary Beaver Came to Town The Piper Reed series: Piper Reed, Navy Brat, Piper Reed, Clubhouse Queen, Piper Reed Gets a Job, Piper Reed, Party Planner, Piper Reed, Campfire Girl Piper Reed, Rodeo Star, Piper Reed, Forever Friend
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Review quotes

Endearing and imperfect, Stevie establishes immediate rapport with readers. —Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Dear Hank Williams:

"The strength of this novel lies in the insight Tate develops as she deals with tragedy and depends on the love of family. VERDICT Artfully told, this middle grade novel pleases on many levels." —Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH, School Library Journal, starred review

"With tidbits of history woven throughout and the rich cast of characters, especially an endearing protagonist, Dear Hank Williams is a novel that sings from the heart." —VOYA, starred review

"Soulful and satisfying." —Kirkus Reviews

"A heartbreaking revelation at the book's end secures Tate's place as a lovable protagonist, while opening the door to a hopeful future." —Booklist

"While readers will find plenty to love and to revisit if encountering this novel on their own, the snappy pace, engaging tone, and epistolary format make this an engaging classroom readaloud, with the skillful exposition and the incorporation of historical details providing discussion fodder and potential curricular connection." —The Bulletin

Praise for When Zachary Beaver Came to Town:

Winner of the 1999 National Book Award for Young People's Literature

This book packs more emotional power than 90% of the so-called grown-up novels taking up precious space on bookshelves around the country.—USA Today

Holt may not take her readers on wild flights of fantasy, but her quiet novel offers a slice of life that's hard to resist.—The New York Times Book Review

In her own down-to-earth, people, smart way, Holt offers a gift. . . . It is a lovely—at times even giddy—date with real life.—The Horn Book, starred review

Praise for My Louisiana Sky:

An unusually auspicious debut.—Publishers Weekly, starred review

This lyrical first novel brings fresh perspective to the guilt and anger and caring that surround the mentally disabled. All the characters . . . are drawn with warmth but no patronizing reverence.—Booklist, starred review

Kimberly Willis Holt
Kimberly Willis Holt is the acclaimed author of many award-winning novels, including The Ambassador of Nowhere Texas, The Lost Boy's Gift, Blooming at the Texas Sunrise Motel, Dear Hank Williams, The Water Seeker, My Louisiana Sky, and When Zachary Beaver Came to Town, winner of the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. She is also the author of the popular Piper Reed chapter book series and several picture books. Holt lives in Texas.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781250144041
Lexile Measure
630
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Square Fish
Publication date
July 03, 2018
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV039050 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Emotions & Feelings
JUV013030 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Multigenerational
JUV039220 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Values & Virtues
JUV013050 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Orphans & Foster Homes
JUV029040 - Juvenile Fiction | Science & Nature | Flowers & Plants
Library of Congress categories
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