Crossing the Pressure Line - by Laura Anne Bird (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Twelve-year-old Clare Burch has just lost the person she loves most in the world. She wonders if her feelings of sorrow and self-blame over her grandfather's death will ever go away. Out of the blue, a special request sends Clare on a journey from her home in Chicago to the Northwoods of Wisconsin. She knows that she must honor Grandpa Anthony's last wishes, even though they completely upend her summertime plans ... During her summer up north, Clare stumbles upon the answers to her many questions. Even more, as she makes peace with why she couldn't save Grandpa Anthony, she ends up rescuing someone else from danger. Above all, Clare learns to listen to the courageous voice inside--and discovers just how tough she really is"--Back cover.

Book Synopsis

Honorable Mention for the Tofte/Wright Children's Book Award of Wisconsin

Silver Finalist in Children's Fiction for the Midwest Book Awards

Silver Winner in Young Reader Fiction for the Independent Book Publishers Association Benjamin Franklin Awards

Twelve-year-old Clare Burch has just lost the person she loves most in the world. She wonders if her feelings of sorrow and self-blame over her grandfather's death will ever go away.

Out of the blue, a special request sends Clare on a journey from her home in Chicago to the Northwoods of Wisconsin. She knows that she must honor Grandpa Anthony's last wishes, even though they completely upend her summertime plans.

Clare heads to rural Alwyn with her little blind dog and a duffel bag full of worries. What will she do without her best friends and swim team? Who will take her fishing and spoil her with candy now that her grandfather is gone? And most important, is she strong enough to let him go, forever?

During her summer up north, Clare stumbles upon the answers to her many questions. Even more, as she makes peace with why she couldn't save Grandpa Anthony, she ends up rescuing someone else from danger.

Above all, Clare learns to listen to the courageous voice inside-and discovers just how tough she really is.

Review Quotes

"A young girl finds purpose in life after losing a loved one in Bird's debut middle-grade novel... Bird craftily balances the family's story with beautiful descriptions of Wisconsin landscapes while focusing on Clare's emotions and realizations as she learns to believe in herself and to accept the loss of a loved one. The characters are relatable and sometimes quite funny, and Clare's ruminations are thoughtful yet appropriate for a girl her age... An evocative story about recovering from grief for readers of any age." -Kirkus Reviews

"Healing and self-realization come from unexpected places in Bird's outstanding debut middle grade novel... Bird paints a vivid and profound picture of Clare's loss and lingering grief after she loses her grandfather, and she's equally compelling at portraying Clare's journey thereafter that challenges her to find her inner strength and voice. Along the way, she celebrates the kindness of the tight-knit community of Wisconsin, with the richness of its small-town culture and resilient spirit. Both a poignant exploration of the tough reality of recovering from loss and an inspiring journey of self-discovery, the novel makes for a must read." -The Prairies Book Review

"Laura Anne Bird gives middle grade readers a multifaceted story that examines a feisty young girl's upward momentum as she works through her grief and faces new tests and opportunities during a summer that changes everything... This realistic account of loss and adjustments stands head and shoulders above most middle grade stories of family grief. It recounts not just Clare's adaptations and challenges, but those of her family, as everyone makes different, new decisions for their futures." -Midwest Book Review, D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer