ABOUT THIS BOOK

SMALL STEPS is a hip young adult novel from Louis Sachar, the New York Times bestselling author of the Newbery Award–winning smash hit phenomenon book and movie/DVD sensation HOLES.
 
Two years after being released from Camp Green Lake, Armpit is home in Austin, Texas, trying to turn his life around. But it's hard when you have a record and everyone expects the worst from you. The only person who believe in Armpit is Ginny, his ten-year-old disabled neighbor. Together, they are learning to take small steps.
 
Armpit seems to be on the right path until X-Ray, a buddy from Camp Green Lake, comes up with a get-rich-quick scheme. X-Ray's plan leads to a chance encounter with teen pop sensation Kaira DeLeon, and suddenly Armpit's life spins out of control. Only one thing is certain: he'll never be the same again.
 
Combining his signature wit with a unique blend of adventure and deeply felt characters, Sachar explores issues of race, the nature of celebrity, the invisible connections that shape a person's life, and what it takes to stay the course. Doing the right thing is never a wrong choice—but always a small step in right direction.


REVIEWS

"Louis Sachar is magic to the toughest circle of critics: librarians, children’s booksellers, teachers – and, most of all, kids."
–USA Today

"Sachar’s touch is as deft as ever and the book is a page-turner."
–Detroit Free-Press

"Mr. Sachar's gentle but surefire approach nails down challenging issues such as racism, teen romance and drugs."
–Dallas Morning News

"Sachar has a talent for creating realistic relationships between unlikely friends. Although that's a staple device of children's literature, it often works by drawing on clichés. Sachar's characters, though, are never stereotypes, but always vividly alive."
–Los Angeles Times

"His prose is clear and relaxed, and funny in a low-key, observant way."
–New York Times

"Part of what makes Small Steps so believable and appealing is that its characters do have insecurities, and they aren’t ashamed to let them show."
–BookPage

"Sachar is a master storyteller who creates memorable characters."
–School Library Journal

"Cleverly wrought…heartwarming, witty and suspenseful."
–Time Out New York Kids

Praise for Louis Sachar’s Holes:

"A dazzling blend of social commentary, tall tale and magic realism."
–Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A brilliant achievement."
–School Library Journal

"A smart jigsaw puzzle of a novel."
–The New York Times

"Imaginative plotting and memorable characters make this novel a winner."
–Book Magazine


From the Hardcover edition.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Louis Sachar is the author of the Newbery Award winner Holes, as well as Stanley Yelnats' Survival Guide to Camp Green Lake. His books for younger readers include There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom, The Boy Who Lost His Face, Dogs Don't Tell Jokes, and the Marvin Redpost series, among many other books.


RELATED LINKS

Click here for Louis Sachar’s printable Author Bio