Still Sal

<p><strong>Filled with emotionally complex characters and riveting poignant moments along with plenty of humor <em>Still Sal </em>is not to be missed. --<em>BookPage</em> (starred review)</strong></p><p><strong><em>Kirkus</em> Best Middle Grade Books of 2024!</strong></p><p><strong>A stand-alone companion to two-time Newbery Honor author Kevin Henkes's award-winning and acclaimed <em>The Year of Billy Miller</em>. With themes of family friendship and resilience this very funny school story focuses on Billy's little sister Sal and her first day of school. For fans of Ramona Ivy + Bean and The Penderwicks. </strong></p><p>Sal has been looking forward to first grade for a long time. But her excitement quickly turns to disappointment when she learns that her best friend Griff is in the other first-grade classroom and has the most popular teacher. Then Sal's name is spelled wrong on her name tag she trips in front of the cool fifth graders and her self-portrait doesn't turn out the way she wanted it to. In fact everything about school is an absolute disaster. Poor Sal!</p><p>Luckily for Sal she has understanding parents a terrific new teacher and empathetic friends who remind her that it takes time to adjust to change. And sure enough after a few days Sal feels like herself again.</p><p><em>Still Sal</em> highlights themes of family friendship social and emotional growth resilience and adapting to change. The fourth stand-alone book in the Miller Family sequence includes black-and-white illustrations by Caldecott Medal winner Kevin Henkes on almost every page and is an excellent choice for early elementary grades for readers ready for a short novel and for family and classroom sharing. </p>