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Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available


In this powerful collection of short stories, children around the world turn eleven and take a step into their futures. Each one is changed in ways both big and small.

Annoyed at having to walk his sister's dog on his birthday, Connor heads into an undeveloped subdivision, where he comes across chilling evidence of a stranger's unhappiness. A girl sneaks away from her class camping trip to a local conservation area and experiences, for the first time, the terror and joy of fending for herself for the first time. Dom's brother gives him a special crystal to boost his confidence, and the gift conjures up a child laborer from the impoverished area of Madagascar where the stones were mined. Mysterious voices at the local county fair prompt Aislynn to think twice after her older sister dumps her for her high-school buddies. While volunteering at his local soup kitchen, Len discovers that there are bigger shames than having the class bully seeing you in a hairnet. And on an historic bridge in Budapest, Lazlo's dream of the perfect father-son birthday outing becomes a nightmare when his father introduces him to his Neo-Nazi friends.

A companion to the critically acclaimed Sit.


Key Text Features

short stories

table of contents

dialogue

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  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      April 25, 2022
      Ellis explores the first steps toward maturity via children’s 11th birthdays in this empathic collection of 10 global stories, a companion to Sit. The American protagonist of “Alone” achieves autonomy by sneaking away from a class camping trip to face her personal fears and revels in the realization that “no one knows where I am” by spending two nights on her own in a nature preserve. But many other protagonists have little control over their circumstances, such as Oma in “Rubber,” whose family nearly drowns trying to reach Europe with other refugees on rubber rafts, and Hungarian Lazlo in “Shoes,” whose father attempts to induct him into a neo-Nazi organization. Regardless of settings and conditions, each child uncovers inner strength, or gains a new understanding of their world, on that pivotal day. Ellis succinctly creates 10 sympathetic characters, highlighting the difficult situations and emotional challenges faced by a range of children around the world. Read individually, each story is affecting; as a whole, the collection is a potent representation of the onset of mature thought and emotional complexity. Ages 9–12.

    • School Library Journal

      Starred review from April 1, 2022

      Gr 3-7-Award-winning Canadian author Ellis once again gives readers an unforgettable opportunity to build global awareness and connection in this collection of 10 short stories that serves as a companion to 2017's Sit. Each independent story features a main character on their 11th birthday-an auspicious day for many, an ordinary day for some, a day of survival for others. Oma and her family are fleeing their country in a rubber dinghy in an attempt to find a better life. Marmalay is struggling to find her voice among her peers. Lazlo is following his father through Budapest before having to choose between his morals and his parent. Connor stumbles on evidence that people's feelings can be so different from what they share. From crossing a border to escape gang violence to discovering one's independence, the characters in this collection exhibit the same emotions as kids everywhere: fear, annoyance, relief, confusion, love. Each realistic entry offers a window to commonality and illustrates that stepping forward, no matter the situation, is courageous. Ellis seamlessly weaves robust imagery, honest characters, strong pacing, humor, and spot-on word choice, underscoring the distinct and memorable birthday each child experiences. Practiced readers will fly through the collection, while reluctant readers will appreciate the brevity and high interest content. VERDICT A first purchase for school and public libraries and a first recommendation for teachers, homeschoolers, and independent readers.-Kate Davis

      Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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  • English

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