Those who survive to graduate become major or minor characters in fairy tales.

Palacio's Wonder (2012) and all readers learning how to be comfortable in their own skins.Ĭhainani works an elaborate sea change akin to Gregory Maguire’s Wicked (1995), though he leaves the waters muddied.Įvery four years, two children, one regarded as particularly nice and the other particularly nasty, are snatched from the village of Gavaldon by the shadowy School Master to attend the divided titular school. CAV is both a gentle dig at anti-bullying platitudes-words can and do hurt-and a reminder that words can heal.Įlyse's struggles toward self-confidence will resonate with fans of R.J. But as she awkwardly makes new friends, chronicling her progress with (very careful) self-deprecating humor in short chapters and notes to her future self, she realizes, 'You couldn't just read them you had to feel them, too.' The unsteady emotions of middle school are palpable in Cooper's debut, from trying on identities to believing moments that pass like a blush will last forever even teachers learn to grow.

When mysterious notes challenge her to try out to lead the sixth-grade class trip, she reasons that winning will net her enough positive comments to cure the itch. Soon, rashes like PATHETIC and WORTHLESS break out: words Elyse thinks about herself. Good words soothe, while bad ones itch 'more than a thousand mosquito bites.' Her friend Jeg has always protected her from mean comments, but the pressure of a new clique draws Jeg away, leaving Elyse to flounder and fend for herself-as if starting middle school weren't hard enough already. But after a final appeal is denied and Skylars attorney scrambles for a stay of execution, time is running shortand the list of suspects keeps growing.Due to a rare condition called cognadjivisibilitis, anything people say about 11-year-old Elyse appears on her arms and legs-part temporary tattoo, part eczema. With the help of her husband Dutch and her friend Candice, Abby launches into her own investigation to clear Skylar and find the real killer. Everyone believes shes guilty, including her own family and her ex-husbandeveryone, that is, except Abby, whose finely honed intuition tells her this woman doesnt belong behind bars.

Skylar Miller has been found guilty of murder and faces the death penalty. In New York Times bestselling author Victoria Lauries newest Psychic Eye Mystery, Abby Cooper senses a convicted killer is innocent, but shell need hard evidence to save the woman before its too lateĪ ticked-off judge has tossed Abby in the slammer for contempt of court, and during her brief but unpleasant stay she learns the story of a condemned woman who is facing a far more serious sentence.

Abby cooper books