Books with author Sis Boulos Deans

Zach is riding the Greyhound bus through a snowstorm to visit his older brother Derek, whom he hasn't seen in seven months. That's when their parents finally went broke paying Derek's doctor's bills and had to give him up as a ward of the state. Nothing―not drawing in his sketchbook, not basketball―lets Zach forget that his brother is living in a mental institution five states away. But surprisingly, sitting next to a talkative teenage girl he nicknames Purplehead starts to take the edge off Zach's pain. Prompted by a chain of unpredictable events and by the people he meets along the way, Zach's cynical humor gives us a poignant look at medical insurance and health care systems for the mentally ill, and at the everyday fears, joys, and revelations of adolescence.

Six months ago, in a terrible car accident, Emily Racine lost her older brother and her ability to do what she loved: dance. Now, just as she is getting on her feet again, her parents want to sell the house that Emily feels is the only place where she can still feel and speak to her brother. Heartbreaking, honest, and downright funny, this novel of loss and recovery will resonate long after the last page is read. Available only in The Literacy Bridge 5.

Zach is riding the Greyhound bus through a snowstorm to visit his older brother Derek, whom he hasn't seen in seven months. That's when their parents finally went broke paying Derek's doctor's bills and had to give him up as a ward of the state. Nothing―not drawing in his sketchbook, not basketball―lets Zach forget that his brother is living in a mental institution five states away. But surprisingly, sitting next to a talkative teenage girl he nicknames Purplehead starts to take the edge off Zach's pain. Prompted by a chain of unpredictable events and by the people he meets along the way, Zach's cynical humor gives us a poignant look at medical insurance and health care systems for the mentally ill, and at the everyday fears, joys, and revelations of adolescence.

Zach is riding the Greyhound bus through a snowstorm to visit his older brother Derek, whom he hasn’t seen in seven months. That’s when their parents finally went broke paying Derek’s doctor’s bills and had to give him up as a ward of the state. Nothing—not drawing in his sketchbook, not basketball—lets Zach forget that his brother is living in a mental institution five states away. But surprisingly, sitting next to a talkative teenage girl he nicknames Purplehead starts to take the edge off Zach’s pain. Prompted by a chain of unpredictable events and by the people he meets along the way, Zach’s cynical humor gives us a poignant look at medical insurance and health care systems for the mentally ill, and at the everyday fears, joys, and revelations of adolescence.

A heartbreaking, honest, and downright funny novel about loss and recovery"She lay pinned in the back seat listening . . . to the sounds of help that had come too late."Six months ago a terrible car accident devastated Emily Racine. Not only did she lose her older brother, Jon, but her own injuries pre-vented her from doing the thing she loved best: dancing. Now, just as Emily is getting on her feet again, she receives another blow: her parents want to sell their house, which they feel is too full of sad memories. But the cellar of this house is the only place where Emily can still feel and speak to Jon-and she can't bear to lose him twice. Emily tries hard to prevent the sale, often with humorous results. Yet as the months pass she comes to realize that change may not always be a bad thing. With lots of love and support she finds a way to say good-bye to her brother and her cherished childhood dream. By turns heartwrenching and hilarious, Sis Deans's moving novel will resonate long after the last page has been read.

A heartbreaking, honest, and downright funny novel about loss and recovery"She lay pinned in the back seat listening . . . to the sounds of help that had come too late."Six months ago a terrible car accident devastated Emily Racine. Not only did she lose her older brother, Jon, but her own injuries pre-vented her from doing the thing she loved best: dancing. Now, just as Emily is getting on her feet again, she receives another blow: her parents want to sell their house, which they feel is too full of sad memories. But the cellar of this house is the only place where Emily can still feel and speak to Jon-and she can't bear to lose him twice. Emily tries hard to prevent the sale, often with humorous results. Yet as the months pass she comes to realize that change may not always be a bad thing. With lots of love and support she finds a way to say good-bye to her brother and her cherished childhood dream. By turns heartwrenching and hilarious, Sis Deans's moving novel will resonate long after the last page has been read.