Orca Book Publishers
Ages 9 - 13 |
Thirteen-year old Liza is already having trouble coping with the death of a local homeless man when she learns that her family's apple tree will need to be chopped down. If that wasn't enough, the new principal at school keeps refusing permission for every project that GRRR! (Girls for Renewable Resources, Really!) proposes. Liza starts to feel like she needs to create change in her world without seeking permission.
"This charming book about teen activism lives up to the high expectations set by Sara Cassidy’s first novel, Slick... a fast, entertaining read suitable for young teens...Highly Recommended. Four stars." CM Magazine "Though Liza’s pain feels real and important, we know that she will deal with her losses and emerge stronger." VOYA CCBC Best Books 2011 |
Reviews
"This charming book about teen activism lives up to the high expectations set by Sara Cassidy’s first novel, Slick. The homeless, apple trees, community gardening, the politics of food, coping with death and meeting cute boys are the themes... Somehow, Sara Cassidy weaves these themes together producing a fast, entertaining read suitable for young teens. Highly recommended. Four stars." CM Magazine. Review here.
"I was inspired by the projects that GRRR! and BRRR! take on within the novel and I found this novel a refreshing way to look at society as it is today. While the main characters are middle grade students, and the novel lends itself to that age group, I believe this novel will also interest high school students as well. I highly recommend it for any green thumbs out there, and anyone looking to make a difference. Four stars." Book Vacations
"Windfall will allow students a glimpse of a life seldom seen in current YA fiction: a Canadian sensibility, a successful single mother raising her children well, and a strong “green” message presented respectfully throughout. Community matters in Windfall, and though Liza’s pain feels real and important, we know that she will deal with her losses and emerge stronger." VOYA
"When you take these two novels together (Slick and Windfall), they actually provide quite a good guide for young people who might want to have their voices heard, who are interested in learning more about peaceful protest, civil disobedience, that sort of thing. Sara Cassidy really does a good job of raising the question, 'What happens when (the) traditional avenues (for protest) don't work?'" - Nikki Tate, CBC Radio Full review
"This charming book about teen activism lives up to the high expectations set by Sara Cassidy’s first novel, Slick. The homeless, apple trees, community gardening, the politics of food, coping with death and meeting cute boys are the themes... Somehow, Sara Cassidy weaves these themes together producing a fast, entertaining read suitable for young teens. Highly recommended. Four stars." CM Magazine. Review here.
"I was inspired by the projects that GRRR! and BRRR! take on within the novel and I found this novel a refreshing way to look at society as it is today. While the main characters are middle grade students, and the novel lends itself to that age group, I believe this novel will also interest high school students as well. I highly recommend it for any green thumbs out there, and anyone looking to make a difference. Four stars." Book Vacations
"Windfall will allow students a glimpse of a life seldom seen in current YA fiction: a Canadian sensibility, a successful single mother raising her children well, and a strong “green” message presented respectfully throughout. Community matters in Windfall, and though Liza’s pain feels real and important, we know that she will deal with her losses and emerge stronger." VOYA
"When you take these two novels together (Slick and Windfall), they actually provide quite a good guide for young people who might want to have their voices heard, who are interested in learning more about peaceful protest, civil disobedience, that sort of thing. Sara Cassidy really does a good job of raising the question, 'What happens when (the) traditional avenues (for protest) don't work?'" - Nikki Tate, CBC Radio Full review
