Finding Serendipity - (Tuesday McGillycuddy Adventures) by Angelica Banks (Paperback)

About the Book

"Originally published in Australia by Allen & Unwin, 2013."--Title page verso.

Book Synopsis

A magical journey into the land where stories come from

"[A] sweet-toned, summer-fun story." --The New York Times Book Review

When Tuesday McGillycuddy and her beloved dog, Baxterr, discover that Tuesday's mother--the famous author Serendipity Smith--has gone missing, they set out on a magical adventure. In their quest to find Serendipity, they discover the mysterious and unpredictable place that stories come from. Here, Tuesday befriends the fearless Vivienne Small, learns to sail an enchanted boat, tangles with an evil pirate, and discovers the truth about her remarkable dog. Along the way, she learns what it means to be a writer and how difficult it can sometimes be to get all the way to The End.

This title has Common Core connections.

Finding Serendipity by Angelica Banks, with illustrations by Stevie Lewis, is the first in a series. that continues with book two, A Week Without Tuesday.

"This enchanting story . . . celebrates the imagination and the connection writers feel with their stories. Spunky characters; spot-on pacing, providing perfectly timed plot revelations; and fully imagined worlds make this a charming winner." --Booklist, starred review

"With cinematic imagery and keen wit, the authors construct an inventive novel." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Young writers will find inspiration in the tale--especially those who have a story within them but might be too shy to tell it." --The New York Times Book Review

Review Quotes

"Young writers will find inspiration in the tale--especially those who have a story within them but might be too shy to tell it." --The New York Times Book Review

"This enchanting story celebrates the imagination and the connection writers feel with their stories. Spunky characters; spot-on pacing, providing perfectly timed plot revelations; and fully imagined world make this a charming winner for curling up with a good book or classroom read-alouds." --Booklist. STARRED REVIEW

"With cinematic imagery and keen wit, the authors construct an inventive novel that raises intriguing questions about the relationship between authors and their characters, and reaches "The End" all too soon." --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

"Magically whimsical and filled with adventurous twists that will keep readers turning the pages." --School Library Journal

"A middle-grade fantasy about the magic in writing stories . . . An original, wholehearted affirmation of the written word and the imagination." --Kirkus Reviews

"More than the plentiful adventure and engaging characters (emphatically including the dog), it's the language here that delights, with clever, convivial wordplay and an unabashed sense of joy; softly sketched spot art adds to the accessibility and the atmosphere. Give this to budding young writers ready to start at The Beginning." --Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"A classic tale that will be loved by many." --Lamont Books

"A fantastic adventure story brimming with imagination, a love of books, and a big dash of magic. . . . Finding Serendipity has pirates and adventures, sailing ships and oodles of magic, and a silver thread that creates words and stories. . . . You'll never read a book in quite the same way again!" --My Book Corner

"I loved this book because it was adventurous, exciting, descriptive, and a mysterious story." --Lilian, age 9

"Tuesday McGillycuddy is a wonderful heroine--brave, clever, quirky, and fully of energy." --kids-bookreview.com

About the Author

Angelica Banks is not one writer but two. Heather Rose and Danielle Wood are both award-winning authors of adult literary fiction and have been friends for years. They had much more fun than you can imagine writing Finding Serendipity and A Week Without Tuesday and spent a lot of time eating chocolate custard and strawberries.