Heather's Picks: Books chosen personally by our CEO & Chief Booklover

– Heather's Summer Picks –

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The Spark: A Mother's Story Of Nurturing Genius

by Kristine Barnett

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In Stock

Hardcover

by Kristine Barnett

The extraordinary memoir of a mother''s love, commitment and nurturing, which allowed her son, originally diagnosed with severe autism, to flourish into a universally recognized genius--and how any parent can help their child find their spark. Today, at 13, Jacob is a paid researcher in quantum physics, working on extending Einstein''s theory of relativity. Diagnosed at 1 with severe autism, at 3 he was assigned to life-skills classes and his parents were told to adjust their expectations. The goal: tying his own shoes at 16. Kristine''s belief in the power of hope and the dazzling possibilities that can occur when we keep our minds open and learn to fuel a child''s true potential changed everything. See Details

$16.47

/ $14.97 Member Price

, used from $29.12

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The Boys In The Boat: Nine Americans And Their...

by Daniel James Brown

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In Stock

Hardcover

by Daniel James Brown

For readers of Laura Hillenbrand''s Seabiscuit and Unbroken , the dramatic story of the American rowing team that stunned the world at Hitler''s 1936 Berlin Olympics Daniel James Brown’s robust book tells the story of the University of Washington’s 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. The sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the boys defeated elite rivals first from eastern and British universities and finally the German crew rowing for Adolf Hitler in the Olympic games in Berlin, 1936. The emotional heart of the story lies with one rower, Joe Rantz, a teenager without family or prospects, who rows not for glory, but to regain his shattered self-regard and to find a place he can call home. The crew is assembled by an enigmatic coach and mentored by a visionary, eccentric British boat builder, but it is their trust in each other that makes them a victorious team. They remind the country of what can be done when everyone quite literally pulls together—a perfect melding of commitment, determination, and optimism. Drawing on the boys’ own diaries and journals, their photos and memories of a once-in-a-lifetime shared dream, The Boys in the Boat is an irresistible story about beating the odds and finding hope in the most desperate of times—the improbable, intimate story of nine working-class boys from the American west who, in the depths of the Great Depression, showed the world what true grit really meant. It will appeal to readers of Erik Larson, Timothy Egan, James Bradley, and David Halberstam''s The Amateurs . See Details

$17.05

/ $15.50 Member Price

, used from $21.37

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Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald: A Novel of Zelda...

by Therese Anne Fowler

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In Stock

Hardcover

by Therese Anne Fowler

Picture a late-May morning in 1918, a time when Montgomery wore her prettiest spring dress and finest floral perfume—same as I would wear that evening… Thus begins the story of beautiful, reckless, seventeen-year-old Zelda Sayre on the day she meets Lieutenant Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald at a country club dance. Fitzgerald isn’t rich or settled; no one knows his people; and he wants, of all things, to be a writer in New York. No matter how wildly in love they may be, Zelda’s father firmly opposes the match. But when Scott finally sells his first novel, This Side of Paradise, Zelda defies her parents to board a train to New York and marry him in the vestry of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Life is a sudden whirl of glamour and excitement: Everyone wants to meet the dashing young author of the scandalous novel—and his beautiful, perhaps even more scandalous wife. Zelda bobs her hair, trades in her provincial finery for daring dresses, and plunges into the endless party that welcomes the darlings of the literary world to New York, then Paris and the French Riviera. It is the Jazz Age, when everything seems new and possible—except that dazzling success does not always last. Surrounded by a thrilling array of magnificent hosts and mercurial geniuses—including Sara and Gerald Murphy, Gertrude Stein, and the great and terrible Ernest Hemingway—Zelda and Scott find the future both grander and stranger than they could have ever imagined. See Details

$16.49

/ $14.99 Member Price

, used from $19.63

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The Son

by Philipp Meyer

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In Stock

Trade Paperback

by Philipp Meyer

Part epic of Texas, part classic coming-of-age story, part unflinching portrait of the bloody price of power, The Son is an utterly transporting novel that maps the legacy of violence in the American West through the lives of the McCulloughs, an ambitious family as resilient and dangerous as the land they claim. Spring, 1849. The first male child born in the newly established Republic of Texas, Eli McCullough is thirteen years old when a marauding band of Comanches storms his homestead and brutally murders his mother and sister, taking him captive. Brave and clever, Eli quickly adapts to life among the Comanches, learning their ways and language, answering to a new name, becoming the chief's adopted son, and waging war against their enemies, including white men — which complicates his sense of loyalty and understanding of who he is. But when disease, starvation, and overwhelming numbers of armed Americans decimate the tribe, Eli finds himself alone. Neither white nor Indian, civilized nor fully wild, he must carve a place for himself in a world in which he does not fully belong — a journey of adventure, tragedy, hardship, grit, and luck that reverberates in the lives of his progeny. Intertwined with Eli's story are those of his son, Peter, a man who bears the emotional cost of his father's drive for power, and Jeannie, Eli's great-granddaughter, a woman who must fight hardened rivals to succeed in a man's world. Philipp Meyer deftly explores how Eli's ruthlessness and steely pragmatism transform subsequent generations of McCulloughs. Love, honor, even children are sacrificed in the name of ambition as the family becomes one of the richest powers in Texas, a ranching-and-oil dynasty of unsurpassed wealth and privilege. Yet, like all empires, the McCulloughs must eventually face the consequences of their choices. Harrowing, panoramic, and vividly drawn, The Son is a masterful achievement from a sublime young talent. See Details

$12.09

/ $10.99 Member Price

, used from $26.24

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Recipes And Dreams From An Italian Life

by Tessa Kiros

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In Stock

Hardcover

by Tessa Kiros

No one does beautiful cookbooks quite like Tessa Kiros, and her track record of more than 700,000 books sold worldwide speaks for itself. In her latest book, much-loved author Tessa Kiros celebrates the heritage of Italy, the country she has chosen to call home. This beautifully feminine book is a tribute to the women in our lives -- mothers, mothers-in-law, grandmothers -- and the important lessons we learn from them. After such celebrated titles as Apples for Jam and Falling Cloudberries , this is Tessa Kiros''s best book yet, written from the heart and celebrating the best of Italy. With more than 100 accessible and delicious recipes, ranging from robust family dishes to quirky cakes and old-fashioned preserves, this book is a precious heirloom to treasure. The chapters are based on rooms and items in the home, such as the bread oven; vegetable patch; snack box; pasta pot; meat, fish, and chicken in the dining room; and the ice box. Recipes include: Basil Liqueur, Sweet Pizza, Artichoke and Herb Soup, Potato and Truffle Purses, Roast Rabbit with Grapes, Chickpeas with Prawns, Marmalade Cake, and Cappuccino Ice Cream. See Details

$23.06

/ $21.91 Member Price

, used from $39.85

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Gastro Grilling: Fired-up Recipes To Grill Great...

by Ted Reader

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In Stock

Trade Paperback

by Ted Reader

Gastro Grilling is for everyone who loves to fire up the grill at any time of the year and turn an everyday meal into a gastronomic delight. Within these pages you''ll find recipes like Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Fire-Roasted Red Pepper and Goat''s Cheese, Grilled Half Chicken with Kick O''Honey BBQ Glaze, Grilled Squid with Prosciutto-Wrapped Radicchio and Caper Balsamic Sauce, and Grilled Pork Chop with Candied Chile Glaze. Or how about the ever-succulent Stone-Grilled Butter Burgers or Hot English Cheese Steak with Pale Ale and Stilton? This must-have book features recipes for great-flavoured steaks of beef, veal, pork, lamb, and game—the essence of grilling. And there are plenty of tasty chicken recipes, too. Ted makes cooking easy for the gastro griller, with simple-to-prepare and absolutely delightful dishes like Cinnamon-Skewered Scallops with Brown Sugar Basting Butter and Grilled Halibut Steaks with Green Grape and Avocado Butter Sauce. There are even a few yummy grilled desserts to round out the complete meal. Chock full of 135-plus lofty, fun recipes, including ribs that will make your mouth water and your fingers sticky, Gastro Grilling is packed with deliciousness and has something for everyone! See Details

$15.95

/ $14.50 Member Price

, used from $33.60

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The Dark

by Lemony Snicket

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In Stock

Hardcover

by Lemony Snicket

Two bestselling talents shed new light on an age-old fear Lazlo is afraid of the dark. It hides in closets and sometimes sits behind the shower curtain, but mostly it lives in the basement. One night, when Lazlo''s nightlight burns out, the dark comes to visit him in his room. "Lazlo," the Dark says. "I want to show you something." And so Lazlo descends the basement stairs to face his fears and discover a few comforting facts about the mysterious presence with whom all children must learn to live. Beautifully rendered with sympathy and wit, this first collaboration between Snicket and Klassen offers a fresh take on a universal childhood experience. See Details

$15.19

/ $14.43 Member Price

, used from $24.14

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Ish

by Peter H. Reynolds

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In Stock

Picture Books

by Peter H. Reynolds

A creative spirit learns that thinking "ish-ly" is far more wonderful than "getting it right" in this gentle new fable from the creator of the award-winning picture book THE DOT. Ramon loved to draw. Anytime. Anything. Anywhere. Drawing is what Ramon does. It¹s what makes him happy. But in one split second, all that changes. A single reckless remark by Ramon''s older brother, Leon, turns Ramon''s carefree sketches into joyless struggles. Luckily for Ramon, though, his little sister, Marisol, sees the world differently. She opens his eyes to something a lot more valuable than getting things just "right." Combining the spareness of fable with the potency of parable, Peter Reynolds shines a bright beam of light on the need to kindle and tend our creative flames with care. See Details

$12.16

/ $11.55 Member Price

, used from $9.03

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Eleanor & Park

by Rainbow Rowell

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In Stock

Hardcover

by Rainbow Rowell

""Eleanor & Park" reminded me not just what it's like to be young and in love with a girl, but also what it's like to be young and in love with a book."--John Green, "The New York Times Book Review" "Bono met his wife in high school," Park says. ""So did Jerry Lee Lewis," Eleanor answers. ""I'm not kidding," he says. ""You should be," she says, "we're 16." ""What about Romeo and Juliet? Shallow, confused, then dead." "I love you," "Park says. ""Wherefore art thou, "Eleanor answers. ""I'm not kidding, " he says. ""You should be."" Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits--smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you'll remember your own first love--and just how hard it pulled you under. See Details

$16.71

/ $15.87 Member Price

, used from $15.22

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The 5th Wave

by Rick Yancey

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In Stock

Hardcover

by Rick Yancey

"Remarkable, not-to-be-missed-under-any-circumstances."— Entertainment Weekly (Grade A) The Passage meets Ender''s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey. After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the un lucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one. Now, it''s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth''s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie''s only hope for rescuing her brother--or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up. "Wildly entertaining . . . I couldn''t turn the pages fast enough."—Justin Cronin, The New York Times Book Review "A modern sci-fi masterpiece . . . should do for aliens what Twilight did for vampires."—USAToday.com See Details

$15.20

/ $14.44 Member Price

, used from $14.47

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House Of Secrets

by Chris Columbus

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In Stock

Hardcover

by Chris Columbus

Brendan, Eleanor, and Cordelia Walker once had everything: two loving parents, a beautiful house in San Francisco, and all the portable electronic devices they could want. But everything changed when Dr. Walker lost his job in the wake of a mysterious incident. Now in dire straits, the family must relocate to an old Victorian house that used to be the home of occult novelist Denver Kristoff-a house that feels simultaneously creepy and too good to be true. By the time the Walkers realize that one of their neighbors has sinister plans for them, they''re banished to a primeval forest way off the grid. Their parents? Gone. Their friends? A world away. And they aren''t alone. Bloodthirsty medieval warriors patrol the woods around them, supernatural pirates roam the neighboring seas, and a power-hungry queen rules the land. To survive, the siblings will have to be braver than they ever thought possible-and fight against their darkest impulses. The key may lie in their own connection to the secret Kristoff legacy. But as they unravel that legacy, they''ll discover it''s not just their family that''s in danger . . . it''s the entire world. From master storytellers Chris Columbus and Ned Vizzini comes this wildly imagi-native fantasy about a family''s journey to find its way home. See Details

$15.19

/ $14.43 Member Price

, used from $10.42

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Smile

by Raina Telgemeier

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In Stock

Trade Paperback

by Raina Telgemeier

From the artist of The Baby-sitters Club Graphix comes this humorous and charming true story! Eleven-year-old Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after a trip-and-fall mishap, she injures her two front teeth, and what follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, corrective surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there''s still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly. This coming-of-age true story is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever been in middle school, and especially those who have had a bit of their own dental drama. See Details

$11.39

/ $10.82 Member Price

, used from $6.09

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Ish

by Peter H. Reynolds

In Stock

In Stock

Picture Books

by Peter H. Reynolds

A creative spirit learns that thinking "ish-ly" is far more wonderful than "getting it right" in this gentle new fable from the creator of the award-winning picture book THE DOT. Ramon loved to draw. Anytime. Anything. Anywhere. Drawing is what Ramon does. It¹s what makes him happy. But in one split second, all that changes. A single reckless remark by Ramon''s older brother, Leon, turns Ramon''s carefree sketches into joyless struggles. Luckily for Ramon, though, his little sister, Marisol, sees the world differently. She opens his eyes to something a lot more valuable than getting things just "right." Combining the spareness of fable with the potency of parable, Peter Reynolds shines a bright beam of light on the need to kindle and tend our creative flames with care. See Details

$12.16

/ $11.55 Member Price

, used from $9.03

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The Dark

by Lemony Snicket

In Stock

In Stock

Hardcover

by Lemony Snicket

Two bestselling talents shed new light on an age-old fear Lazlo is afraid of the dark. It hides in closets and sometimes sits behind the shower curtain, but mostly it lives in the basement. One night, when Lazlo''s nightlight burns out, the dark comes to visit him in his room. "Lazlo," the Dark says. "I want to show you something." And so Lazlo descends the basement stairs to face his fears and discover a few comforting facts about the mysterious presence with whom all children must learn to live. Beautifully rendered with sympathy and wit, this first collaboration between Snicket and Klassen offers a fresh take on a universal childhood experience. See Details

$15.19

/ $14.43 Member Price

, used from $24.14

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If You Give A Mouse A Cookie

by Laura J Numeroff

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In Stock

Hardcover

by Laura J Numeroff

If a hungry little traveler shows up at your house, you might want to give him a cookie. If you give him a cookie, he's going to ask for a glass of milk. He'll want to look in a mirror to make sure he doesn't have a milk mustache, and then he'll ask for a pair of scissors to give himself a trim.... The consequences of giving a cookie to this energetic mouse run the young host ragged, but young readers will come away smiling at the antics that tumble like dominoes through the pages of this delightful picture book. See Details

$14.06

/ $13.36 Member Price

, used from $5.04

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I Love You Gift Set

by Marion Dane Bauer

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In Stock

Other

by Marion Dane Bauer

Adorable books to read with your little ones! Includes three board books and a bonus reading guide for parents See Details

$16.50

/ $15.68 Member Price

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Stella!: A Treasury

by Marie-Louise Gay

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In Stock

Hardcover

by Marie-Louise Gay

Marie-Louise Gay published Stella, Star of the Sea more than ten years ago. It was an immediate hit, and since then she has written and illustrated four more books featuring the engaging, red-headed heroine, Stella, and her little brother, Sam — Stella, Queen of the Snow ; Stella, Fairy of the Forest ; Stella, Princess of the Sky and, most recently, When Stella Was Very, Very Small . With gentle humor, freshness, a sense of whimsy and exquisite watercolors, Marie-Louise Gay gives us stories about two young siblings discovering their world. Here at last are all five books bound into one delightful volume. The treasury contains new art for the cover and opening page as well as new decorative line art. When Stella Was Very, Very Small "When Stella was very, very small, she thought she was a turtle. She also thought that trees could talk and that words were like ants running off the pages of her books." This is the story of a lovely tiny Stella, whose world is full of small adventures and slivers of magic. And she delights in sharing it all with Sam when he comes along. Stella, Star of the Sea Stella and Sam are spending the day at the sea. Stella has been to the sea before and knows all its secrets, but Sam has many questions...and Stella has an answer for them all. The only thing she isn’t sure of, and neither are we, is whether Sam will ever come into the water. Stella, Queen of the Snow Winter was never so magical as in this marvelous book about Stella and Sam discovering a familiar landscape transformed by a heavy snowfall. Stella delights in showing Sam the many pleasures of a beautiful winter’s day, from skating and sledding to making snow angels in a fluffy, white magical world. Stella, Fairy of the Forest Little brother Sam wonders whether fairies are invisible. Stella assures him that she has seen hundreds of them and says that if she and Sam venture across the meadow and into the forest, they are likely to find some. But Sam surprises Stella and himself by having a few ideas of his own — ideas that ensure a wonderful end to a perfect day in the woods. Stella, Princess of the Sky Stella and Sam explore the wonders of the natural world. A vast luminous sky, the sun, the stars and the rising moon form the backdrop for their nocturnal expedition. As they encounter raccoons, fireflies, tree frogs and bats, Sam wonders if the moon can swim, if the sun wears pajamas or if he can catch shooting stars with his butterfly net. Stella, as always, has an answer for every question. See Details

$16.46

/ $15.64 Member Price

, used from $18.71

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The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore

by William Joyce

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In Stock

Picture Books

by William Joyce

The book that inspired the Academy Award – winning short film, from New York Times bestselling author and beloved visionary William Joyce. Morris Lessmore loved words. He loved stories. He loved books. But every story has its upsets. Everything in Morris Lessmore’s life, including his own story, is scattered to the winds. But the power of story will save the day. Stunningly brought to life by William Joyce, one of the preeminent creators in children’s literature, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is a modern masterpiece, showing that in today’s world of traditional books, eBooks, and apps, it’s story that we truly celebrate—and this story, no matter how you tell it, begs to be read again and again. See Details

$15.19

/ $14.43 Member Price

, used from $13.44

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5,000 Awesome Facts (about Everything!)

by National Geographic Kids

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In Stock

Hardcover

by National Geographic Kids

"Filled with photographs, this beautifully designed book is organized into two-page spreads that each focus on a different topic, making it easy and fun to read." --Redding.com Presenting the next must-have, fun-filled gift book from the team that created Ultimate Weird But True , 5,000 Cool Facts About Everything treats kids to brain candy and eye candy all rolled into one treasure trove of high-interest fascinating facts. Lively and information-packed, this book is literally busting its covers with fascinating, fun-tastic facts on super, sensational topics that kids love. Who knew that there were so many sweet things to learn about chocolate or that a dozen delicious details about peanut butter would show up on a page with a few splotches of jelly to whet our appetites? Keep turning and a terrifyingly toothy shark tells you all about himself, while other spreads lay out tons of tips on toys and games, mysteries of history, robots and reptiles, sports and spies, wacky words, and so much more! A visual feast of colorful photographs surrounded by swirling, tipping, expanding, and climbing bits of information in a high-energy design, this book will satisfy both the casual browser and the truly fact obsessed. See Details

$17.44

/ $16.57 Member Price

, used from $11.35

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Wonder

by R. J. Palacio

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In Stock

Hardcover

by R. J. Palacio

I won''t describe what I look like. Whatever you''re thinking, it''s probably worse. August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER , now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance. "Wonder is the best kids'' book of the year," said Emily Bazelon, senior editor at Slate.com and author of Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy . In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out. Join the conversation: #thewonderofwonder See Details

$13.67

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, used from $10.29
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