Just My Luck - Tapa dura

"I loved this portrait of a young boy struggling to find his role in a family determined not to be defined by their differences. Benny's brave story, told with wry humor, is inspirational."--Ann M. Martin, New York Times bestselling author of Rain Reign

"In narrator Benny, readers find a resilient and very observant 9-year-old who accepts those around him with their strengths and shortcomings alike. His story is insightful and inspirational."--Kirkus Reviews

"McGovern's thoughtful depiction of a family facing difficult situations without fracturing, coupled with a gentle message about not being too hard on oneself, will surely speak to middle schoolers with their own slate of worries."--Publishers Weekly

"A heart-filled story of a likable boy who doesn't realize that his natural gifts are recognizable and valued by a supportive family. There are many moments that will ring true to middle grade readers: feeling anxious about friendships, wanting to be noticed, and trying to do the right thing."--School Library Journal

"McGovern's observations about ordinary-seeming life and about the people around us, about small acts of kindness and healing and forgiveness, are perceptive and thought-provoking."--The Horn Book

"Benny's first-person narrative radiates with exactly the kind of compassion his mother recommends. Like many nine-year-olds, Benny can be guileless in one moment and wise beyond his years in another. Highly recommended for fans of realistic fiction by writers such as Ann M. Martin or Lisa Graff."--ALA Booklist

"McGovern writes convincingly about characters trying to figure out how best to live with the complications of a disability, both the person whom it most affects and also those around him or her. Benny's voice deserves to be read aloud in a classroom."--Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)

"McGovern's books make readers think carefully about the themes presented. Her beautifully written novels feature people who are different in some way; developmentally delayed or suffering from cerebral palsy, obsessive compulsive disorder, or autism. Her stories make people who are "different" more accessible to all of us."--Examiner.com

Praise for SAY WHAT YOU WILL: "This is a book to read, savor, and pass on and on until it has gone around the world twice."--Ron Koertge, author of Stoner & Spaz

"Exhilarating and heartrending.This novel is stunning."--ALA Booklist (starred review)