ABOUT THIS BOOK

Baby Girl sees the future from the womb, and it's clear the Fifties hold more for her than Elvis Presley and life in a tumble-down trailer.

From the start, Baby Girl believes she's beautiful and special because her beautiful and special Momma tells her so. The two are close as crossed fingers—and it's a good thing, because Baby Girl's Sight never warns her what her treacherous father will do next. She and Momma must flee into the night. In the distant town of Cot, each contributes to the family fortune with her own gift—Momma at the sewing machine, Baby Girl predicting futures. In the peace of that summer, Baby Girl's confidence grows robust as her sturdy little figure.

It's quite a shock, that first day of high school, when the kids don't find her as adorable as Momma does. Her confidence shrinks down to the size of a Lifesaver until she finds ways to make her differences work for her. An accordion, a quirky new friendship, and a romance with the same boy her enemy-cheerleader is after, return Baby Girl to her feisty best.

But nothing can prepare her for the final nightmare—the one that can forever end her magical, hard-knock journey toward growing up.


REVIEWS

“This commanding debut novel of eccentric outsiders shaking things up in a small town features a narrative voice of startling originality.” –Publishers Weekly, Starred

"This unsual novel ... contains a striking combination of tragedy and whimsy." –The Horn Book Magazine, Starred

* Amazon.com’s Number One Editor’s Choice for Teens 2001
* An American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults 2002
* YALSA Best Books for Young Adults
* Starred review in Publishers Weekly
* Starred review in the Horn Book
* Starred review in VOYA
* Powells Books Featured Title
* Overbooked Young Adult Stars 2001
* Best Riot Grrrl Reads
* TeenReads Pick
* New York Public Libraries Best Teen Book Nominee
* Children’s Literary Resource Celebrating-the-Year Book
* Mystery Vault’s Best Kid Mysteries
* June 2001 Publishers Weekly "Flying Start" Author
* 2002 Literary Arts Fellowship Recipient* Starred review in Publishers Weekly
* Starred review in the Horn Book
* Starred review in VOYA




ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susanna Vance lives and writes in the Oregon harbor town of Astoria, Oregon. Her short stories have appeared in many literary publications. Her writing is known for its dark humor, quirky characters and strong voice.
    Vance’s next novel DEEP, is a tale of two spirited girls from very different worlds, whose lives are changed forever when they collide in a dark and perilous adventure. DEEP will be available in the spring of 2003.


RELATED LINKS

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