Description

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“Beasts of the Southern Wild” meets Because of Winn Dixie in this inspiring story of hope.

August “Auggie” Jones lives with her Grandpa Gus, a trash hauler, in a poor part of town. So when her wealthy classmate’s father starts the House Beautification Committee, it’s homes like Auggie’s that are deemed “in violation.” Auggie is determined to prove that she is not as run-down as the outside of her house might suggest. Using the kind of items Gus usually hauls to the scrap heap, a broken toaster becomes a flower; church windows turn into a rainbow walkway; and an old car gets new life as spinning whirligigs. What starts out as a home renovation project becomes much more as Auggie and her grandpa discover a talent they never knew they had—and redefine a whole town’s perception of beauty, one recycled sculpture at a time. Auggie’s talent for creating found art will remind readers that one girl’s trash really is another girl’s treasure.

About the Author

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Holly Schindler taught music lessons after she graduated from college, and decided to become a writer to connect with the kids and teens whose music once filled her home. She lives in Springfield, Missouri.

Praise For…

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"Axioms like “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” come gracefully to life in Schindler’s tale about the value of hard work and the power of community." - Publishers Weekly

"The story shines...with vibrant themes of community, self-empowerment and artistic vision." - Kirkus Reviews

"Auggie’s rich engagement with her community and willingness to stand up for her beliefs are inspiring, while her struggle to stay true to herself, even when her best friend gets absorbed in the cool crowd at their new school, will resonate with many readers." - School Library Journal

"In Auggie, Schindler creates a spunky, sympathetic character young readers will engage with and enjoy." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"The book is well-written and would make a good classroom read-aloud for upper grade levels...will appeal to both girls and boys." - Library Media Connection