Where I Live

From SLJ July 2007

Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA -- School Library Journal, 7/23/2007

SPINELLI, Eileen. Where I Live. illus. by Matt Phelan. 112p. CIP. Dial. 2007. RTE $16.99. ISBN 978-0-8037-3122-6. LC 2006030971.

Gr 1-4–Precocious Diana loves astronomy, poetry, and sleepovers with her best friend, Rose. She's content with the way things are: her sun poem won the school contest, she is painting her room midnight blue to go with her star charts, and a bird family has made a nest in a wreath on the front door of her house. She even enjoys her little sister, Twink, who can be pesky at times, gets itchy on long car rides, and manages to get covered in midnight blue paint. Then, Diana gets bad news: her dad has lost his job, and they're moving six hours away to live with Grandpa Joe. She must say goodbye to her old home and to her best friend. Spinelli crafts a reassuring and engaging story in verse, and young readers facing similar circumstances will find their experiences and emotions echoed in Diana's thoughtful musings. The girl finds great solace in her poetry journal and is able to work through her emotions in a creative way. Phelan's charming pencil drawings are a perfect complement to this heartfelt tale.

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