Books with author Anthony Jay

In Milwaukee, Isabelle Day had a house. And she had a father. This year, on Halloween, she has half of a house in Minneapolis, a mother at least as sad as she is, and a loss that’s too hard to think—let alone talk—about. It’s the Midwest in the early 1960s, and dads just don’t die . . . like that.Hovering over Isabelle’s new world are the duplex’s too-attentive landladies, Miss Flora (“a lovely dried flower”) and her sister Miss Dora (“grim as roadkill”), who dwell in a sea of memories and doilies; the gleefully demonic Sister Mary Mercy, who rules a school awash in cigarette smoke; and classmates steady Margaret and edgy Grace, who hold out some hope of friendship. As Isabelle’s first tentative steps carry her through unfamiliar territory—classroom debacles and misadventures at home and beyond, time trapped in a storm-tossed cemetery and investigating an inhospitable hospital—she begins to discover that, when it comes to pain and loss, she might actually be in good company.In light of the elderly sisters’ lives, Grace and Margaret’s friendship, and her father’s memory, she just might find the heart and humor to save herself. With characteristic sensitivity and wit, Jane St. Anthony reveals how a girl’s life clouded with grief can also hold a world of promise.

Thirteen-year-old Grace is not looking forward to her summer vacation. She’ll have to fend for herself and take care of her siblings while her mom smokes the day away in the back bedroom of the cabin. But when an unexpected companion shows up in the middle of a crisis, she gains hope that maybe the summer won’t be a disaster after all. In Grace Above All, readers will experience a young summer romance and join Grace in gaining a newfound appreciation of family.

MILO'S WAY: A little brown bear named Milo takes a different path from the other little bears on their morning walk through the woods, embracing the path less traveled. His story, full of laughter and possibility, will amuse and inspire children who wish to explore a new path all their own.REVIEW: The Children's Book Review had this to say about this thoughtful story in its June 2013 review:"Milo’s Way is a clever take on the issues of peer pressure and conformity. Getting our little ones to follow their hearts instead of the pack is often a complicated undertaking. Milo has a mind of his own and is a compelling example of bravery despite his friends’ attempts to scare him. His friends appreciate his ingenuity and agree that sometimes you have to 'try a different path.'Milo’s Way is perfect for boys and girls ages 3-7. The beautiful illustrations bring the story to life in vivid colors.For more information, visit: http://jba-books.com"

In Milwaukee, Isabelle Day had a house. And she had a father. This year, on Halloween, she has half of a house in Minneapolis, a mother at least as sad as she is, and a loss that’s too hard to think—let alone talk—about. It’s the Midwest in the early 1960s, and dads just don’t die . . . like that. Hovering over Isabelle’s new world are the duplex’s too-attentive landladies, Miss Flora (“a lovely dried flower”) and her sister Miss Dora (“grim as roadkill”), who dwell in a sea of memories and doilies; the gleefully demonic Sister Mary Mercy, who rules a school awash in cigarette smoke; and classmates steady Margaret and edgy Grace, who hold out some hope of friendship. As Isabelle’s first tentative steps carry her through unfamiliar territory—classroom debacles and misadventures at home and beyond, time trapped in a storm-tossed cemetery and investigating an inhospitable hospital—she begins to discover that, when it comes to pain and loss, she might actually be in good company. In light of the elderly sisters’ lives, Grace and Margaret’s friendship, and her father’s memory, she just might find the heart and humor to save herself. With characteristic sensitivity and wit, Jane St. Anthony reveals how a girl’s life clouded with grief can also hold a world of promise.

The Boy Who Dreamed Himself: Joseph tries to decide who he really is - a sleepy little boy or a beautiful Monarch butterfly? It is not every day that you wake up in the morning and find yourself flying over your own backyard. Joseph's dream will excite and entertain children as they too wonder just who he really is!THE CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW had this to say about this thoughtful story in its June 2013 review:"The Boy Who Dreamed Himself" is a striking illustration of a phenomenon that occurs quite often—a dream that is so real, the dreamer awakens to question his or her reality. Young Joseph’s dream is so tangible—and his desire to be able to fly and explore is so strong—that when he wakes up he has the feeling that perhaps being a butterfly is what he should be and being a boy is in fact his dream.This book is well suited to boys and girls of 3-7 years old and can be used as a tool to help explain how dreams can be mistaken for reality. The lyrical text flows beautifully and the lifelike drawings convey the dream’s mythic qualities leaving the reading to wonder what the truth really is.For more information visit: http://jba-books.com

What happens when you get what you think you want and thendon't know what to do with it? When twelve-year-old Margarethears the boy next door call to her in the middle of the night,her heart races with excitement - and nervousness. Will thismean Sherman is her boyfriend? Although Sherman insists thatMargaret come and join him for a moonlit bike ride, he doesn'tknow what to expect any more than she does. But Shermanmakes a big mistake on their first date, and Margaret doesn'tknow if she will ever forgive him. Things get even more chaoticwhen Sherman shows up with a squirrel he calls LittleMargaret.Facing disapproval from her mother, the complications inherentin living with three-year-old twin sisters, and self-imposedpressure to emulate a best friend with confidence enough fortwo, Margaret attempts to sort out her feelings for Sherman. Inthe process, she may just find a place for herself in her familyand the larger world, in this sparkling debut novel set in theearly 1960s.

What's that pink thing out on the lake? Grace realizes with horror that the distant pink smudge on the water is her youngest sister, Beth, drifting farther and farther offshore atop an inflatable raft. There's no time to lose, and Grace never dawdles anyway. Struggling through the cold waves, Grace gradually closes in on her terrified sister. At that moment, boys are the last thing on Grace's mind. But a boy turns up to assist in the rescue. And he's really handsome. Together Frankie and Grace tow Beth back to safety, and Grace begins to hope that maybe - despite having to take care of three younger siblings, despite an oblivious mother smoking her brains out, despite the ancient great-aunt and her mysterious daughter - maybe this summer vacation won't be so bad after all. In the companion to The Summer Sherman Loved Me, a determined heroine discovers that she can indeed rise above it all.

What happens when you get what you think you want and thendon't know what to do with it? When twelve-year-old Margarethears the boy next door call to her in the middle of the night,her heart races with excitement - and nervousness. Will thismean Sherman is her boyfriend? Although Sherman insists thatMargaret come and join him for a moonlit bike ride, he doesn'tknow what to expect any more than she does. But Shermanmakes a big mistake on their first date, and Margaret doesn'tknow if she will ever forgive him. Things get even more chaoticwhen Sherman shows up with a squirrel he calls LittleMargaret.Facing disapproval from her mother, the complications inherentin living with three-year-old twin sisters, and self-imposedpressure to emulate a best friend with confidence enough fortwo, Margaret attempts to sort out her feelings for Sherman. Inthe process, she may just find a place for herself in her familyand the larger world, in this sparkling debut novel set in theearly 1960s.

What's that pink thing out on the lake? Grace realizes with horror that the distant pink smudge on the water is her youngest sister, Beth, drifting farther and farther offshore atop an inflatable raft. There's no time to lose, and Grace never dawdles anyway. Struggling through the cold waves, Grace gradually closes in on her terrified sister. At that moment, boys are the last thing on Grace's mind. But a boy turns up to assist in the rescue. And he's really handsome. Together Frankie and Grace tow Beth back to safety, and Grace begins to hope that maybe - despite having to take care of three younger siblings, despite an oblivious mother smoking her brains out, despite the ancient great-aunt and her mysterious daughter - maybe this summer vacation won't be so bad after all. In the companion to The Summer Sherman Loved Me, a determined heroine discovers that she can indeed rise above it all.