Sweeping Up the Heart

From two-time Newbery Honor and New York Times–bestselling author Kevin Henkes | this timeless novel about loss | loneliness | and friendship tells the story of the spring break that changes seventh-grader Amelia Albright’s life forever.Amelia Albright dreams about going to Florida for spring break like everyone else in her class | but her father—a cranky and stubborn English professor—has decided Florida is too much adventure.Now Amelia is stuck at home with him and her babysitter | the beloved Mrs. O’Brien. The week ahead promises to be boring | until Amelia meets Casey at her neighborhood art studio. Amelia has never been friends with a boy before | and the experience is both fraught and thrilling. When Casey claims to see the spirit of Amelia’s mother (who died ten years before) | the pair embarks on an altogether different journey in their attempt to find her.Using crisp | lyrical | literary writing and moments of humor and truth | award-winning author Kevin Henkes deftly captures how it feels to be almost thirteen.With themes of family | death | grief | creativity | and loyalty | Sweeping Up the Heart is for readers of Kate DiCamillo | Rebecca Stead | Lauren Wolk | Kimberly Brubaker Bradley | and Pam Muñoz Ryan.