Big Winner
by Sylvia Taekema (Author)
Fourteen-year-old Skye Richardson had to leave her home, school and friends when she and her mom moved across the country to a small town on the East Coast.
She's not happy about it. Then she gets a part-time job at a local coffee shop and meets Digby Jones. Digby lives in a group home. He loves Ping-Pong and watching his favorite TV shows. He likes things done in a certain way. One day, Digby tells Skye he has the winning million-dollar lottery ticket everyone in town has been talking about. At first, all Skye can think about is how she'd love to have that money to buy her old life back. Soon, however, she begins to worry that people are going to take advantage of her new friend.
This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
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Kirkus
School Library Journal
Gr 4-8--When 14-year-old Skye's family moves to the East Coast, she loses everything familiar to her. To cope, she gets a job at a coffee shop. There she meets Digby, a local group home resident. He loves ping-pong and is particular about how things get done. After the winning lottery numbers are announced, Digby comes into the coffee shop all excited, saying he has the winning ticket. Soon, however, Skye worries that the town is taking advantage of Digby. Can Skye be the friend he needs and help him to see the truth? Or will Digby take it the wrong way? This story is well written, humorous, and draws readers into Skye and Digby's lives. The message and themes of kindness and real friendship are heartening. Plot twists add depth and nuance, and the characters are likable and realistic. Layout is dyslexic-friendly with heavy bottom fonts, letter spacing, and white space. Characters are cued white. The book is written at a second grade level. VERDICT Striving readers who like realistic fiction, friendship stories, or who have ever dreamed of winning the lottery when they get older will want to pick this one up. Recommend for libraries where realistic fiction and hi-lo titles are popular.--Kira Moody
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
Sylvia Taekema's first novel, Seconds, was voted a Silver Birch Express Award Honour Book. She is also the author of the middle-grade novel Ripple Effect and Running Behind in the Orca Currents line. Sylvia lives in Bracebridge, Ontario
JUV039140 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
JUV074000 - Juvenile Fiction | Diversity & Multicultural
JUV086000 - Juvenile Fiction | Readers | Hi-Lo
Friendship
Moving, Household
Secrecy
Secrets
Juvenile works
High interest-low vocabulary books
JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship
Lottery winners
JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / New Experi
