Kids vs. parents! An epic treehouse sleepover! An awesome group of friends! An exciting new book from National Book Award finalist Lisa Graff.
Winnie's last day of fourth grade ended with a pretty life-changing surprise. That was the day Winnie’s parents got divorced, the day they decided that Winnie would live three days a week with each of them and spend Wednesdays by herself in a treehouse smack between their houses, to divide her time perfectly evenly between them. It was the day Winnie’s seed of frustration with her parents was planted, a seed that grew and grew until it felt like it was as big as a tree itself.
By the end of fifth grade, Winnie decides that the only way to change things is to barricade herself in her treehouse until her parents come to their senses—and her friends decide to join her. It’s kids versus grown-ups, and no one wants to back down first. But with ten kids in one treehouse, all with their own demands, Winnie discovers that things can get pretty complicated pretty fast! Even if they are having the most epic slumber party ever.
In the newest novel by beloved National Book Award finalist Lisa Graff, kids have turned the tables on their parents, and all the rules have been tossed out the window. But does Winnie have what it takes to hold her ground and keep everyone happy?
This story, with a pitch-perfect middle grade voice and zany yet poignant situation, is perfect for fans of Sharon Creech, Louis Sachar, and Jack Gantos.
Featuring Ariana Delawari as Winnie, alongside a full cast of narrators:
Michael Crouch, as Lyle
Robbie Daymond, as Joey
Lauren Fortgang, as Jolee
Felicia Leicht, as Tabitha
Sunil Malhotra, as Aayush
Kathleen McInerney, as Greta
Cassandra Morris, as Squizzy
Tara Sands, as Brogan and Logan
and also featuring an ensemble cast
Praise for Lisa Graff's novels:
Lost in the Sun
* "Graff writes with stunning insight [and] consistently demonstrates why character-driven novels can live from generation to generation."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Weighty matters deftly handled with humor and grace will give this book wide appeal."—School Library Journal, starred review
* "Characterization is thoughtful."—BCCB, starred review
Absolutely Almost
* "A perfect book to share with struggling readers."—Booklist, starred review
* "Achingly superb, Albie’s story shines."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Graff’s...gentle story invokes evergreen themes of coming to appreciate one’s strengths (and weaknesses), and stands out for its thoughtful, moving portrait of a boy who learns to keep moving forward, taking on the world at his own speed."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
A Tangle of Knots
“Lisa Graff has created a beautiful world of deliciously interconnected stories that draw you in.”—Entertainment Weekly, A-
* “Subtle and intricate, rich with humor and insight, this quietly magical adventure delights.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Download and start listening now!
“As narrator Ariana Delawari portrays fifth-grader Winnie, other voices join in and express the playfulness of this story…Delawari makes Winnie’s mounting frustration clear…Multiple voices chime in as Winnie’s nine classmates…The additional voices are a great way to represent the children’s diversity…[and] the story’s many forms of communication—from sticky notes to newspaper articles.”
— AudioFile
“It’s a good-natured satire of helicopter parenting and a celebration of child ingenuity, but mostly it’s all about what fun it is to live in a tree.”
— Horn Book GuideIt’s kids vs. parents in epic fashion, and Graff’s not-quite-fantasy world is every kid’s dream....Graff’s whimsical, original work is a breath of fresh air. A strong addition to any middle grade collection.
— School Library JournalCombining over-the-top storytelling with down-home wisdom, this appealing chapter book is easy to booktalk and fun to read.
— BooklistIn this appealing faux-memoir, [Lisa Graff creates] a vibrant patchwork of personalities that gives voice to the power of friendship.
— Publishers WeeklyIt’s a good-natured satire of helicopter parenting and a celebration of child ingenuity, but mostly it’s all about what fun it is to live in a tree.
— Horn BookLost in the Sun
* "Graff writes with stunning insight [and] consistently demonstrates why character-driven novels can live from generation to generation.
— Kirkus Reviews *STARRED REVIEW** "Graff creates layered, vulnerable characters that are worth getting to know.
— Booklist *STARRED REVIEW*This is a novel that speaks powerfully, honestly, almost shockingly about our human pain and our human redemption. This book will change you.
— Gary Schmidt, author of The Wednesday WarsLisa Graff crafts a compelling story about a boy touched with tragedy and the world of people he cares about. And like all the best stories, it ends at a new beginning.
— Richard Peck, author of A Year Down YonderAbsolutely Almost * "Albie comes through significant emotional hardship to a genuine sense of self-worth.
— School Library Journal, *STARRED REVIEW** "A perfect book to share with struggling readers.
— Booklist, *STARRED REVIEW** "Achingly superb, Albie’s story shines.
— Kirkus Reviews, *STARRED REVIEW** "Graff’s...gentle story invokes evergreen themes of coming to appreciate one’s strengths (and weaknesses), and stands out for its thoughtful, moving portrait of a boy who learns to keep moving forward, taking on the world at his own speed.
— Publishers Weekly, *STARRED REVIEW*Lately the patrons of my school library have been asking, “Do you have any books like Wonder by R.J. Palacio?” and now I have the perfect offering.
— BookPageMaybe the wonder of Absolutely Almost is that it’s willing to give us an almost unheard of hero.
— Betsy Bird, Fuse #8 BlogGraff...again draws on her ability to create rich lifeworlds for her characters to present a boy who is gifted in many ways....[T]his is a sharp portrait of an outsider’s inner perspective, and Albie’s coming to terms with himself will be cheered by many.
— BCCB ReviewsA Clatter of Jars:
Graff is a master of the magical realism genre, and this offering is worthy of a spot in any middle grade collection.
— School Library JournalGraff’s vivid character development and world building makes for tight plotting and nicely negotiable complexity. A great fit for fans of Louis Sachar’s Holes.
— BooklistGraff’s prose and plot construction is as pleasing as ever, and A Clatter of Jars will appeal to a wide range of readers.
— BookpageA Tangle of KnotsLisa Graff has created a beautiful world of deliciously interconnected stories that draw you in.
— Abby West, Entertainment Weekly, A-* “Subtle and intricate, rich with humor and insight, this quietly magical adventure delights.
— Kirkus Reviews *STARRED REVIEW** “Combining the literary sensibility of E. B. White with the insouciance of Louis Sachar, Graff has written a tangle that should satisfy readers for years to come.
— Booklist *STARRED REVIEW** "[A]n ambitious and gracefully executed story.
— Publishers Weekly *STARRED REVIEW** "Weighty matters deftly handled with humor and grace will give this book wide appeal.
— School Library Journal *STARRED REVIEW** "Characterization is thoughtful.
— BCCB *STARRED REVIEW*“[An] appealing faux-memoir…[with] a vibrant patchwork of personalities that gives voice to the power of friendship.”
— Publishers Weekly“Graff’s not-quite-fantasy world is every kid’s dream…Graff’s whimsical, original work is a breath of fresh air. A strong addition to any middle grade collection.”
— School Library Journal“Combining over-the-top storytelling with down-home wisdom, this appealing chapter book is easy to booktalk and fun to read.”
— BooklistBe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Lisa Graff is the critically acclaimed and award-winning author of the National Book Award nominee A Tangle of Knots, as well as Lost in the Sun, Absolutely Almost, Double Dog Dare, Umbrella Summer, The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower, The Thing about Georgie, and Sophie Simon Solves Them All.
Cassandra Morris has received critical acclaim for her voice-over work from Publishers Weekly and AudioFile magazine, earning a dozen Earphones Awards and twice been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. Her voice has also been heard on television in commercial campaigns and numerous Nickelodeon and Disney products. She is the voice of many cartoon characters, including Leo and Luna in Yu-Gi-Oh, Carrie in Barbie: A Fairy Secret, Nathan in Pokémon, and Lola in Angelo Rules.
Kathleen McInerney won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration in 2011 and was a finalist for the Audie in 2010 and 2015. Her narrations have also earned several AudioFile Earphones Awards. She has performed in New York and around the United States in both classical and contemporary theater. Her credits also include television commercials, daytime drama, radio plays, and a broad range of animation voice-overs.
Lauren Fortgang, a graduate of Fordham University’s Theater Program, is an actress, costume designer, and narrator. She has recorded everything from video games to textbooks. Her audiobook narrations have earned AudioFile Earphones Awards and placed her as a finalist for an Audie Award in 2014.
Robbie Daymond is an actor, voice talent, and four-time winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award. He graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a master’s degree in acting and works primarily in theater but has made several forays into television, video games, and film.
Sunil Malhotra is an actor and voice artist. His film credits include Dude, Where’s the Party?, Call Center, 24, ER, Cold Case, and The West Wing. On stage, he has performed on Broadway and at East West Players. He has also worked as a writer, producer, and director, and his audiobook narrations have won three AudioFile Earphones Awards.
Tara Sands is an American actress, television host, and voice talent who has won numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards for narration. She is former cohost of Fridays on the Cartoon Network. In addition to performing in plays and musicals, her voice can be heard on numerous commercials, audiobooks, cartoons, and video games.
Michael Crouch is an actor based in New York City. His audiobook narration has won the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, numerous Earphones Awards from AudioFile magazine, and Best of the Year accolades from Booklist, School Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly. He can also be heard on national commercials, cartoons, video games, and the animé series Pokémon XY and Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V.
Ariana Delawari, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, is a musician, director, and actress. A graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, she directed We Came Home, an award-winning documentary about her journeys to Afghanistan since 9/11, the making of her album “Lion of Panjshir,” and her family story. She recently became the first female of Afghan descent to perform rock music live in Afghanistan in over thirty years. She is also a member of the LA Ladies Choir and was recently a speaker and performer at the inaugural TEDx Kabul.