Books with author Margaret%20Willey

When he was seven, Charlie Porter never intended to become the world's youngest published author. He just wanted his father to stop crying. So he told him a story about a talking beetle—a dumb little story his mother made up to make him feel better. (That was before she left and feeling "better" became impossible.) But Charlie's story not only made his father stop crying. It made him start planning. The story became a book, and then it became school events and book festivals, and a beetle costume, and a catchphrase—"I was born to write!"Because of the story, Charlie stayed seven until he was ten. And then it all ended. Or it should have. Now Charlie is eighteen, and the beetles still haunt his dreams. The childhood he never really had is about to end . . . but there's still a chance to have a story of his own. Beetle Boy is a novel of a broken family, the long shadow of neglect, and the light of small kindnesses.

Pete Shelton’s life revolves around Riverside, a Michigan nature preserve on the St. Joseph River. The property is dedicated to its founder, the late Paul McMichael, naturalist and moth collector, who died while still a young man. When a runaway named Nora McMichael shows up at Riverside, claiming to be the daughter of Paul McMichael, Pete suspects she is lying. He resents her urgent need to be part of Riverside and to become close, too close, to Paul’s mentor and friend, Abe McMichael, younger brother of Paul. Although enemies at first, Nora and Pete slowly begin to piece together their shadowy pasts . . . and discover that their lives are intertwined in ways neither could have imagined. Filled with loving descriptions of Michigan wilderness, animal lore and a passionate Lepidopterist's journal, Willey weaves an inter-generational tale of healing, reclamation and discovery.

People can't always tell everything. Sometimes they have to leave things out so that they can recover. Start over. So that people will still be able to love them. Seventeen-year-old Pete Shelton's life revolves around helping his friend Abe McMichael build Riverside, a nature preserve dedicated to the memory of Abe's brother, Paul. Then one summer a troubled runaway shows up―a girl named Nora who claims to be Paul's daughter. All her life, Nora has lived with secrets and lies, never knowing anything about her father. Although enemies at first, Pete and Nora slowly begin to piece together their shadowy pasts . . . and discover that their lives intertwine in a way they never imagined. "A Summer of Silk Moths gives us the bewilderment and wonderment that real growth always brings, in a setting as fresh and tender as a new green leaf."―Kathe Koja, bestselling author of Buddha Boy "A thoughtful, complex and moving story about loss and discovery of identity, love and the ability to change and the restorative powers of nature."―Kirkus Reviews An Honor Book for the 2010 Green Earth Book Awards in the category of Young Adult Fiction.

When he was seven, Charlie Porter never intended to become the world's youngest published author. He just wanted his father to stop crying. So he told him a story about a talking beetle―a dumb little story his mother made up to make him feel better. (That was before she left and feeling "better" became impossible.) But Charlie's story not only made his father stop crying. It made him start planning. The story became a book, and then it became school events and book festivals, and a beetle costume, and a catchphrase―"I was born to write!" Because of the story, Charlie stayed seven until he was ten. And then it all ended. Or it should have. Now Charlie is eighteen, and the beetles still haunt his dreams. The childhood he never really had is about to end . . . but there's still a chance to have a story of his own. Beetle Boy is a novel of a broken family, the long shadow of neglect, and the light of small kindnesses.

Lisa Franklin's troubles seem to melt away when she sings. Since joining a high school band, she feels like a new person: strong and self-confident. Not like the person who has felt miserable since her mother died four years ago. But Lisa's brother, Mark, isn't so happy about her singing with the band--it's his band, his friends. As the summer progresses, Lisa is thrilled with the band's success and all the attention she's getting. But while the other band members can't deny that Lisa is improving their sound, they're not sure it's what they want. The dilemma is even greater since no one knows how to tell Lisa.

Having grown up with divorced parents, 14-year-old Melinda (called Mindy by her mother; Linda by her father) is weary of being caught in the middle of her warring adults. She finds relief during a summer spent with her aunt, uncle, and beloved older cousin, Sharon. She also meets Paul, the boy who helps her find the "Melinda Zone." But her cousin's household is in turmoil and Melinda learns more than she dreamed about standing up for herself and being fair to the people she loves.