When the 1906 San Francisco earthquake destroys Chloe's home, the noise, crowds, and chaos push this neurodivergent girl far beyond the routines that help her feel safe. Tween readers will be inspired to embrace their authentic selves and welcome others' different ways of experiencing the world.
After a massive earthquake, Chloe Taggart is yanked out of her highly structured world of birdwatching, drawing, and homeschooling and dropped into a refugee camp that assaults her senses with noise, dirt, new experiences, and chaotic living conditions. Separated from her parents by the disaster, Chloe is faced with the seemingly impossible tasks of caring for her brother, cooking, doing laundry, and speaking up for herself and others who are underestimated.
As Chloe faces one challenge after another, she begins to recognize that her careful attention, honesty, persistence, and unique way of seeing the world are not weaknesses. Instead, they may be exactly what her community needs. Can Chloe navigate primitive tent living and be a good friend to those who need her, or will she become overwhelmed and shut down?
Part of the historical series American Stories for Gutsy Girls, Chloe Through the Cracks . . .
Enjoy this heart-engaging and eye-opening coming-of-age story that shows everyone is capable of something amazing and that persistence pays off.
Mona Hodgson is the author of nearly 30 children's books and also writes 19th century historical fiction. In addition to writing and speaking, Mona likes to read mysteries and love stories, hike Arizona, travel to Africa, play table games, and play Wii Tennis. She lives in central Arizona where she spies roadrunners, quail, cottontail rabbits, and even an occasional skunk in her yard.
Alisha Monnin was born and raised in the rural US in a small village where distance is measured by cornfields. Growing up, she was a voracious reader and daydreamed about going on magical adventures. As an adult, she still spends her days daydreaming and reading, but now her imagination is funneled into her artwork. She graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and now resides in Cincinnati, Ohio with her Manx cat named Beignet.