Half a Chance

by Cynthia Lord Narrated by Maria Cabezas

Overview

A moving new middle-grade novel from the Newbery Honor author of RULES. When Lucy's family moves to an old house on a lake, Lucy tries to see her new home through her camera's lens, as her father has taught her -- he's a famous photographer, away on a shoot. Will her photos ever meet his high standards? When she discovers that he's judging a photo contest, Lucy decides to enter anonymously. She wants to find out if her eye for photography is really special -- or only good enough. As she seeks out subjects for her photos, Lucy gets to know Nate, the boy next door. But slowly the camera reveals what Nate doesn't want to see: his grandmother's memory is slipping away, and with it much of what he cherishes about his summers on the lake. This summer, Nate will learn about the power of art to show truth. And Lucy will learn how beauty can change lives . . . including her own.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

12/09/2013
Lucy Emery has a passion for taking pictures, just like her photographer father. Unlike him, the 12-year-old doesn’t crave living in new places “the way other people crave staying put.” Now he’s moved Lucy and her mother from Massachusetts to a lakeside cottage in New Hampshire, and even before the family has settled, he’s off again on another assignment. Lonesome and eager to prove her skill with a camera, Lucy enters a photography contest that will be judged by her father. The shots she takes of her new environment eloquently track her most significant events over the summer, which include keeping endangered loons safe from harm, finding a friend in next-door neighbor Nate, and sharing his sadness over his grandmother’s slipping memory. Filled with moments of discovery, wonder, and sorrow, Lord’s story captures Lucy’s artistic sensibility and photographer’s eye, as well as her compassion for both animals and people. Through Lucy’s thoughts and actions, Lord (Rules) elegantly conveys how complex stories can be told through moments frozen in time. Ages 8–12. Agent: Tracey Adams, Adams Literary. (Mar.)

From the Publisher

Praise for Half a Chance:*"[Lord] has combined vivid, cinematic description with deft characterization and handles several important issues with sensitivity, nuance, and great skill... A deeply enjoyable read." — School Library Journal, starred review*"Lord offers a tender treatment of early adolescent needs and struggles in this thoughtful coming-of-age novel... With subtle but effective imagery and a relatable protagonist, the title speaks to both human loneliness generally and the plight of a young girl in need of friendship." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review*"With winning results, Lord brings the same sensitivity to the subject of dementia that she brought to autism in her Newbery Honor book, Rules." — Kirkus Reviews, starred reviewPraise for Rules:A Newbery Honor book, Schneider Family Book Award, ALA Notable"Catherine is an endearing narrator who tells her story with both humor and heartbreak... A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter." — School Library Journal

Kirkus Reviews

★ 2013-12-07
As deceptively quiet in tone as its New Hampshire lakeside setting, this affecting book affirms the power of art as it tackles profound issues of loss, memory, aging, belonging and the inevitability of change. Twelve-year-old narrator Lucy has moved again, and her famous nature-photographer father, whose attention she seeks, is traveling again. She meets boy-next-door Nate, whose grandmother Lilah is descending into dementia. This may be Lilah's last summer at the lake; her family struggles with her care and the impending changes. When Lucy discovers that her father is judging a kids' photography contest, she decides to enter, spending the summer taking pictures and tracking the loon population with Nate. Lucy takes a picture of Lilah that captures the old woman's terrible panic. She knows Nate would not want her to submit the photo; her father, however, would value the truth it captures. As Lucy's dad has taught her, "Even in the midst of horrible things, there are little bits of wonder, and all of it's true." Both the loons and photography become metaphors for the mutability of life and the importance of savoring captured moments. Nate and Lucy's sweet budding romance will appeal to preteens. With winning results, Lord brings the same sensitivity to the subject of dementia that she brought to autism in her Newbery Honor book, Rules (2006). (Fiction. 8-12)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171138455
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	04/18/2014
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	8 - 11 Years

Read an Excerpt

One thing I’d learned about moving was that once you were there, it was better to just look ahead. Because even if you went back to visit the places and people you left behind, it was never the same — 9 except in photos. Those always keep everything exactly the way it was: a sharp-steepled white church against thunderclouds near our old house in Vermont, rainbow-colored graffiti on the overpass near our apartment in Boston, yellow window light slanting out across the wet cobblestones near our rented rooms on Nantucket. I pointed my camera straight down and took a photo of my feet in my flip-flops on the shore with my toes almost touching the rim of yellow pollen. New Hampshire: Day One.

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