Also Known As Harper

by Leal, Ann Haywood

• ISBN13: 9780312659349
• ISBN10: 0312659342
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-08-02
• Publisher: Square Fish

Summary

Harper is an aspiring poet, and life is giving her a lot to write about just now. Daddy up and walked out, leaving them with too many bills, too little money, and an eviction notice. Now Mama is scrambling to make ends meet, leaving Harper to stay home and take care of her brother. Their whole world has been turned upside down, which Harper could just about handleif it wasn't for the poetry contest at school. More than anything, she wants to get up on that stage and read her poems out loud. But how can she worry about getting back to school when she doesn't even know where she's going to sleep tonight?

Author Biography

ANN HAYWOOD LEAL volunteers at her local soup kitchen, and this novel grew out of her concern for the very real issue of homelessness in our own back yards. Ann is an elementary school teacher in Waterford, Connecticut.

Table of Contents

“First-time novelist Leal creates complex characters from various walks of life. . . . The cards are stacked against Harper and her family, but it is inspiring to watch her find success with a pen, paper and a little hope.”—Publishers Weekly

“Memorable characterizations fill the book with realistic individuals whom readers will root for and celebrate with when their lives finally begin to improve.”—School Library Journal

“First-time novelist Leal takes a narrative with familiar elements . . . and elevates it with her characters, who . . . are sharply and sympathetically drawn. One of the highlights is Harper’s poetry, interspersed throughout the book . . . they are written in a clear and natural way that will speak to readers and make them think.”—Booklist

“The likable characters, their misfortunes and especially their self-reliance will keep readers . . . enthralled. A poignant debut.”—Kirkus Reviews

“From Harper to Winnie Rae Early, the characters are memorable as are the descriptive passages…This book is rich with discussion opportunity for middle grade students.”—VOYA

“Anne Haywood Leal is a wonderful writer with an enormous heart, and a voice that is distinctive and wrenching and wise. I loved this book, and the feisty young girl known as Harper. I believe you will, too.”—Patricia Reilly Giff, Newbery Honor-winning author of Lily’s Crossing and Pictures of Hollis Woods

Excerpts

“Hey, Hem.” I moved a couple of boxes aside so he could come in. “You don’t believe in letting a person settle themselves in before you get to bothering them, now, do you?”

But I patted the corner of the bed. Hemingway’s company wasn’t so bad. He had a way about him that made all the tired go out of a person.

“Mama says we got to move pretty quick here,” he said, eyeing all my boxes.

“Not just yet.” I straightened up a stack of poems on my bed. “She just wants us to get a head start, is all.”

“Thing is…” He bit at a hangnail on his thumb and I knew what was coming. Hem always got fidgety when he was thinking about Daddy. “How’s he going to find us?”

I pulled his thumb away from his mouth. “He’ll find us if the time comes.”

I knew how badly Hem wanted Daddy to come walking back up our front steps, and I wanted that for him, I really did. But I wasn’t so sure I wanted that for me.

He got up and took a good look out my bedroom window. “It’s almost time to go out, Harper Lee.”

“You know I’m not going to go out to the porch,” I reminded him.

He leaned forward as if he was going to tell me a good secret. “But I’m thinking I might wait on the driveway path today, right out front, you know? Just so as he can see me better.”

But deep down, I think Hemingway knew as well as I did, when Daddy had made his way down that driveway path a whole year ago, he had never figured on coming back.