13 GIFTS
When Alyssa, a self-proclaimed shrinking violet, steals the school mascot, a goat, in order to make some friends with the popular crowd and gets caught, she gets herself in a heap of trouble. In addition, her parents decide that instead of taking her on their summer trip to Madagascar to study the courtship rituals of the Bamboo Lemur, she must go stay with her aunt, uncle, and bratty cousin Emily St. Claire in Willow Falls. Alyssa thinks it’s a good time to start over; she’ll be turning 13 after all, so she might as well make the best of it and perhaps even attempt to break out of her shell (in a non-criminal manner).
When Alyssa, a self-proclaimed shrinking violet, steals the school mascot, a goat, in order to make some friends with the popular crowd and gets caught, she gets herself in a heap of trouble. In addition, her parents decide that instead of taking her on their summer trip to Madagascar to study the courtship rituals of the Bamboo Lemur, she must go stay with her aunt, uncle, and bratty cousin Emily St. Claire in Willow Falls. Alyssa thinks it’s a good time to start over; she’ll be turning 13 after all, so she might as well make the best of it and perhaps even attempt to break out of her shell (in a non-criminal manner). What Alyssa doesn’t know is that this charmed town has something big in store for her on her 13th birthday.
- Scholastic
- Hardcover
- September 2011
- 304 Pages
- 9780545310031
Buy the Book
$16.99
About Wendy Mass
Wendy Mass is the author of the award-winning books for readers A Mango-Shaped Space, Leap Day, Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life, Heaven Looks A Lot Like the Mall, Every Soul a Star, The Candymakers, 11 Birthdays, Finally, and the Twice Upon a Time series. She tells people her hobbies are photography and hiking, but they’re really collecting candy bar wrappers and searching for buried treasure with her metal detector. Wendy lives with her family in New Jersey.
Praise
“As a parent, I love the fact that Mass knows how to blend or include parental love in such a way that it does not take over what is clearly a book for tweens. The theme that family is important is easily weaved into the kids’ adventures and internal struggles, making this very much a part of the appeal of a Wendy Mass book. For this reason I think 13 Gifts would make a great selection for a mother/daughter book club. Highly recommended!”—Library of Clean Reads
“The book’s ending will leave fans hopeful for a resolution of the broader enigma within this unusual series.”—Booklist
“In equal parts philosophical and wryly humorous, this magical tale will satisfy both fans and new readers alike.”—Kirkus Review
“Mass provides an optimistic and genuine addition to the coming-of-age genre. … Mass keeps the plot jumping like a fireworks display; there’s one surprise spark after another, all coming together at the end for a breathtaking finale.”—School Library Journal