After her daddy dies, Vinnie, her little brother, Mason, and Momma must move from Washington to Virginia to live with Grandma. To make matters worse, Mason won't talk to anyone - he hasn't since Daddy died - and Vinnie thinks that everyone is so concerned about him that no one cares about her. Then Vinnie meets Mr. Clayton, her new fourth grade teacher; the attention he gives Vinnie and her capacity to imagine become her greatest source of pleasure. Sometimes Mr. Clayton also pays a lot of attention to another girl in her class - Lupe - but Vinnie is certain that she herself is the one he finds special. As a result, when Mr. Clayton announces he is getting married, her feelings of betrayal and jealousy are so strong that she lashes out in an act of anger which powerfully satisfies her rage, but then terrifies her into letting Lupe being blamed as the perpetrator. Firmly grounded in Vinnie's point of view, Paterson's storytelling magnificently renders the emotional landscape of childhood. (Ages 10-12)

Written by Newbery Medalist, National Book Award winner, and Laura Ingalls Wilder Award recipient, and author of Bridge to Terabithia.

Vinnie Matthews needs a real lifesaver--on that will bring her father back to life and let her family go home. Living with Grandma means having to be responsible for her little brother, Mason, who refuses to speak, and ignoring the kids who ask why he's so crazy. Then Vinnie meets Lupe, the mysterious "flip-flop girl" who only wears orange flip-flops on her feet. Lupe is strong, confisent, and even more of an outsact than Vinnie. She's just teh type of friends Vinnie needs, if only Vinnie can ignore the rumora about Lupe's past.