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The Thing About Leftovers
  • Published: 16 October 2017
  • ISBN: 9780147514226
  • Imprint: Nancy Paulsen Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $19.99

The Thing About Leftovers

Formats & editions
EBook
19 July 2016
Paperback
16 Oct 2017
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One for the Murphys meets Hope Was Here in this middle-grade story about navigating divorce and blended families, following your passion, and making your place in a shifting world.

With the humor and poignancy of Joan Bauer and Lynda Mullaly Hunt, this story reminds readers that they have a right to a voice, that it's okay to say how you feel, and that some leftovers are absolutely delicious!
 
Fizzy is a good Southern girl who just wants to be perfect. And win the Southern Living cook-off. The being perfect part is hard though, since her parents’ divorced and everything in her life has changed. Wary of her too-perfect stepmom and her mom’s neat-freak, dismissive boyfriend, she’s often angry or upset and feels like a guest in both homes. She tells herself to face facts: She’s a “leftover” kid from a marriage that her parents want to forget. But she has to keep all of that to herself, because a good Southern girl never yells, or throws fits, or says anything that might hurt other people’s feelings—instead she throws her shoulders back, says yes ma’am, and tries to do better. So Fizzy tries her best, but it’s hard to stay quiet when her family keeps getting more complicated. Fortunately, the Southern Living cook-off gives her a welcome distraction, as do her new friends Miyoko and Zach, who have parent issues of their own.
  • Published: 16 October 2017
  • ISBN: 9780147514226
  • Imprint: Nancy Paulsen Books
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 288
  • RRP: $19.99
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Praise for The Thing About Leftovers

Praise for The Thing About Leftovers:
"Fizzy's first-person narration is by turns hilarious and poignant as she struggles to find her voice . . . Tween readers will appreciate this gentle read as they empathize with Fizzy's feelings of inadequacy and root for her success."--School Library Journal

"Readers experiencing family challenges of their own will laugh and cry with Fizzy, rejoicing as she cooks up quite the satisfying new life for herself."--Kirkus Reviews

"A fun read about a serious topic . . . Children of blended families will relate to Fizzy's thoughts and emotions. A thought-provoking read for parents and children alike."--VOYA

"With some really solid emotional insights and an energetic, engaging style, this will enlighten middle-school readers trying to sort through the complexities of family situations they didn't ask for but need grace to deal with nonetheless."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Hauntingly accurate . . . Payne's characters give such interesting perspectives from 'leftover kids' that it may inspire some readers to reinspect their own relationships. The plot and characters are bluntly realistic, and Fizzy's story should resonate with those looking for their place in a newly blended family."--Booklist

School Library Journal