"Rodrigo has lost his family home due to a devastating tornado. Surrounded by rubble, he almost gives up. But then he remembers his father's words of encouragement and finds the strength to build a new life."--Provided by publisher.
"From painting, music, and slam poetry, to engineering, protesting, and photography, a young narrator journeys through her neighborhood, encouraging readers to explore all the many ways they can express themselves."--.
Ten-year-old (nearly eleven) Zara's nickname is "Queen of the Neighborhood" because she organizes the other children (even the older ones), sets the rules, and generally makes sure everyone has fun; but now another ten-year-old, Naomi, has moved in across the street and she has her own ideas about fun games, and suddenly the other kids (even Zara's younger brother Zayd) are listening to Naomi--if she is going to retain her influence Zara needs to come up with something quick, and an old copy of the Guinness Book of World Records gives her an idea.
"Sixth-grader Wes Henderson sets out to save the Oaks, the neighborhood where he's lived his whole life, from being sold to a real estate developer"--Provided by publisher.
"Real-life cousins pay gorgeous homage to the street they grew up on and the loving community that made their childhood special"--Provided by the publisher.
While both deal with problems at home, one-time best friends Jill and Max, seventeen, kiss, and while Jill knows that was a mistake, she struggles not to kiss him again.
