Description

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Elly Swartz's Give and Take is a touching middle grade novel about family, friendship, and learning when to let go.

Family has always been important to twelve-year-old Maggie: a trapshooter, she is coached by her dad and cheered on by her mom. But her grandmother's recent death leaves a giant hole in Maggie's life, one which she begins to fill with an assortment of things: candy wrappers, pieces of tassel from Nana's favorite scarf, milk cartons, sticks . . . all stuffed in cardboard boxes under her bed.

Then her parents decide to take in a foster infant. But anxiety over the new baby's departure only worsens Maggie's hoarding, and soon she finds herself taking and taking until she spirals out of control. Ultimately, with some help from family, friends, and experts, Maggie learns that sometimes love means letting go.

This title has Common Core connections.

About the Author

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Elly Swartz grew up in Yardley, Pennsylvania, where she lived a happy childhood filled with laughs, family dinners, and crooked birthday cakes. She studied psychology at Boston University and received a law degree from Georgetown University School of Law. The mother of two grown sons, Elly now lives in Massachusetts with her husband. Finding Perfect was her debut novel.

Praise For…

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*A Pernille Ripp Best Book of 2019!*
*A Mighty Girl Best Book of 2019!*
*A Hopewell Library Best Book of 2019!*
*A Lesley Roessing Best Book of 2019!*

"A sensitive and affirming look at a problem not often tackled in middle-grade fiction." — Booklist

"The writing is lucid and intelligent . . . pediatric hoarding, like adoption and hoarding, is portrayed sensitively. A potentially useful resource for kids struggling with loss, change, and letting go." — Kirkus Reviews

"This fast-paced and dialogue-heavy story may provide comfort and support to readers who have trouble processing their own strong emotions. A welcome addition to middle grade collections." — School Library Journal

"Powerful and tender, Elly Swartz’s new novel is about love—the kind that’s forever, and the kind you need to let go. Readers will adore Maggie, the big-hearted, strong but vulnerable heroine of this multi-layered, beautifully crafted book." — Barbara Dee, author of Star Crossed and Halfway Normal

"Sweet, sad, funny and real. Swartz takes us inside a troubled child and makes us fall in love." — Barbara O'Connor, author of Wish

"Readers of Give and Take will quickly become endeared with Maggie’s spirit and heart. Elly Swartz has written a book where the characters love fiercely and family is forever." — Becky Calzada, Coordinator Library Services, Leander ISD