Edwards, Michelle

Second-grader Howardina Geraldina Paulina Maxina Gardenia Smith is sure she will be the star of the talent show, but when she gets up to sing at the dress rehearsal, she gets stage fright.

On the first Hanukkah after Mama died, Papa and his two daughters try to make latkes and celebrate without her.

On the first day of second grade at her new school, Pa Lia Vang discovers that things are not as bad as she had feared.

Michelin paints portraits that do not flatter her sitters but she learns an enduring lesson when she must paint her kindly aunt and uncle.