Allie, First at Last: A Wish Novel

by Angela Cervantes

Overview

This charming, heartfelt second novel by GABY, LOST AND FOUND author Angela Cervantes asks an all-important question: is winning top prize worth losing a friend?

Allie Velasco wants to be a trailblazer.A trendsetter.A winner.No better feeling exists in the world than stepping to the top of a winner’s podium and hoisting a trophy high in the air. At least, that’s what Allie thinks . . . she’s never actually won anything before. Everyone in her family is special in some way -- her younger sister is a rising TV star; her brother is a soccer prodigy; her great-grandfather is a Congressional Medal of Honor winner.With a family like this, Allie knows she has to make her mark or risk being left behind. She’s determined to add a shiny medal, blue ribbon, or beautiful trophy to her family’s award shelf. When a prestigious school contest is announced, Allie has the perfect opportunity to take first -- at last. There’s just one small snag . . . her biggest competition is also her ex-best friend, Sara. Can Allie take top prize and win back a friend -- or is she destined to lose it all?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545812672
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	03/29/2016
Sold by:	Scholastic, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
Lexile:	660L (what's this?)
File size:	7 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Angela Cervantes is a poet, storyteller, and animal lover. Her poetry and short stories have appeared in various publications, and she has written the novels Gaby, Lost and Found and Allie, First at Last. When Angela is not writing, she enjoys hanging out with her husband in Kansas and eating fish tacos every chance she gets. Keep up with Angela at angelacervantes.com.

Read an Excerpt

Mrs. Wendy walks toward the blackboard. "Look, I've written the Trailblazer contest guidelines here." She points out each rule. "All creative work must be unpublished. One submission per student. First-place winner gets a trophy and two hundred dollars." The entire classroom gasps. Now everyone's hands are up with questions. Sara and Hayley squeal back and forth at each other, "Two hundred dollars! OMG! Shopping spree!" Grace turns to me, excited and red-faced. "Are you going to do it now? You totally should." I nod. I need that first prize for my family's awards shelf. Luckily, I've got the perfect trailblazer in mind. That shiny trophy, engraved with the words Alyssa Velasco, First-Place Winner is going to be mine.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Allie, First at Last:

"A sweet middle-grade read that promotes compassion and empathy over competitiveness." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Laced with Mexican-American language and culture, this realistic drama is filled with gentle humor, big lessons, and even bigger heart." — Publishers Weekly

Praise for Gaby, Lost and Found:

“A timely, touching and nuanced portrayal of real-life challenges experienced by

children in mixed-status families.”— Kirkus Reviews

“An emotionally compelling story.” – School Library Journal

“A timely and important story about immigration, deportation, and abandonment

wrapped in a warm-hearted tale that will appeal to all.” — Sonia Manzano, Emmy

Award-winning actress who plays “Maria” on Sesame Street and Pura Belpre Honor

Award-winning author of The Revolution of Evelyn Serrano.

From the Publisher