Overview

Iris tries to act normal at school, going through the motions and joking around with her friends. But nothing is normal, and sometimes it feels like she'll never laugh again. How can she, when her dad is dying of a virus that's off-limits to talk about? When she knows that soon all she'll have left of her kind, loving dad are memories, photos, and a binder full of the poems they used to exchange? In a sea of rage and grief, Iris resolves to speak out against the rampant fear, misinformation, and prejudice surrounding AIDS-and find the pieces of Dad that she never knew before. Along the way, Iris might just find new sides to herself. Award-winning author Ami Polonsky has crafted a lyrical, tender, earth-shattering novel that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

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9780316462044

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Reviews

* The book shows a girl focusing her rage and pain into love... Simultaneously sad and life affirming; a poetry-filled, inspiring call to activism. --Kirkus, Starred Review

"A Jane Addams Children's Book Award Honor A Kirkus Best Children's Book of the Year A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A CCBC Children's Choice Book A Chicago Public Library Best Book A Horn Book Fanfare pick * ""The book shows a girl focusing her rage and pain into love... Simultaneously sad and life affirming; a poetry-filled, inspiring call to activism."" --Kirkus, starred review * ""Ami Polonsky has crafted a beautiful story which speaks of courage, family, love, anger, discrimination, ignorance, and hope. ...Polonsky has delivered a powerful message to us all that should not be passed up."" --School Library Connection, starred review * ""Beautifully written ... with its sensitive portrayal of loss, and its carefully researched depiction of a devastating time in American history, this lyrical novel is highly recommended."" --School Library Journal, starred review * ""Emotionally charged...showing both the cost of inaction and fear around the HIV/AID crisis, and the power of activism to bring change and build community."" --Publishers Weekly, starred review * ""This is the best kind of family story, filled with love and, yes, loss, but most importantly with caring. The narrative is lyrical and heartfelt, and young people will be inspired to see Iris transcend her grief, use her voice, and find a way to make a difference."" -The Horn Book, starred review ""A valuable education in AIDS history and emotional wellness.""--Booklist ""Impeccably written and emotionally powerful.""--BCCB"

* Foregrounding believable, dynamic characters [this novel shows] both the cost of inaction and fear around the HIV/AIDS crisis, and the power of activism to bring change and build community. --Publishers Weekly, starred review * The book shows a girl focusing her rage and pain into love... Simultaneously sad and life affirming; a poetry-filled, inspiring call to activism. --Kirkus, Starred Review

Author Information

Ami Polonsky is a reading and writing tutor, mother to two young children, and author, among other things. A former Language Arts teacher and literacy coach, she remains passionate about guiding children toward a love of books and helping create lifetime readers. Ami lives outside of Chicago with her family. She can be found online at @amipolonsky on Instagram.

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