The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z Reading level: Ages 9-12 Hardcover: 208 pages Publisher: Walker Books (Sept. 1, 2009) Language: English ISBN-10: 080279842X ISBN-13: 978-0802798428 Buy THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. Gianna Zales is a star runner with one more hurdle to jump before she goes to cross-country sectionals – a monster leaf collection project. To get it done, she’ll have to survive a rival who desperately wants to take her place at sectionals, a grandmother who leaves her false teeth in the refrigerator, and a best friend whose feelings about her are changing like the leaves. Gianna Z needs a stroke of brilliance to make it work!

“Gianna Z. is total best friend material – full of energy, humor, and heart.” ~Linda Urban, author of A Crooked Kind of Perfect    “Kate Messner’s The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. is filled with characters we fall in love with, and Gianna is the beautiful beating heart of the story. An overwhelmed procrastinator, Gianna faces the warring factions of looming science project deadlines, vicious girls, and a family on the verge of monumental change. In her desperation to hold it all together for her teachers, coaches, parents, and friends, she discovers that her greatest strength comes from within.”—Kerry Madden, author of Louisiana’s Song and Jessie’s Mountain “Laced with humor and heart… this is an insightful and affecting read, offering a compassionate portrayal of a family member’s illness and the discovery of beauty and inspiration in nature and poetry.”  ~Booklist Review MORE REVIEWS: Publishers Weekly ShelfTalker GIANNA Z. on Jen Robinson's Book Page Six Boxes of Books Add THE BRILLIANT FALL OF GIANNA Z. to your list on GoodReads GIANNA Z. RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS, LIBRARIANS, BOOK CLUBS, & KIDS Download the Discussion Guide A Recipe for Nonna’s Funeral Cookies Quiz: What Kind of Tree Are You?

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"With a clear, memorable storyteller's voice, Kate Messner shares a tale from a part of America's history that should be better known. I recommend this book, not just to young readers, but to anyone with a love of history and a thirst for adventure."
--Joseph Bruchac, Award winning author

"...an informative, exciting story about a significant military encounter during the American Revolution." Four stars!
--Armchair Interviews

Spitfire

Winner of the Adirondack Literary Award
North Country Books, 2007
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October, 1776... Twelve-year-old Abigail Smith disguises herself as a boy, steals a leaky rowboat, and sets out to join the American fleet on Lake Champlain. She'll risk her life to find her uncle -- her only living relative and her only hope for a real home.
Young Pascal De Angelis is on board an American ship, awaiting battle with the British when Abigail joins the crew. She introduces herself as Adam Smith and establishes herself as a worker and a loyal friend.
Neither Abigail nor Pascal realizes just how close they are to one of the bloodiest battles the Champlain Valley will ever see. And neither can predict how those three days in October will change their lives forever.