I loved all the insights into photography in this book! It
made me want to get outside with my camera.
Today’s Pick: Half
a Chance
by Cynthia Lord
Scholastic, 2014
From Random House:
When Lucy's family moves to an old house on a lake, Lucy
tries to see her new home through her camera's lens, as her father has taught
her -- he's a famous photographer, away on a shoot. Will her photos ever meet
his high standards? When she discovers that he's judging a photo contest, Lucy
decides to enter anonymously. She wants to find out if her eye for photography
is really special -- or only good enough.
As she seeks out subjects for her photos, Lucy gets to know
Nate, the boy next door. But slowly the camera reveals what Nate doesn't want
to see: his grandmother's memory is slipping away, and with it much of what he
cherishes about his summers on the lake. This summer, Nate will learn about the
power of art to show truth. And Lucy will learn how beauty can change lives . .
. including her own.
My Take:
This is a quieter story but if you like books about family,
nature and friendship, you will enjoy this book. There are many elements in the
story to relate to: wanting to win a contest, worrying about whether a new
friend really wants to be your friend, and confusion over just what is
happening to an elderly person you care about. Lucy’s parents were clearly part
of her life and a source of support and conflict.
As a writer, I thought this was a great example of a middle
grade novel. The voice was most definitely middle grade, as was the perspective
of first person narrator. I loved all the details from nature in this book,
especially the loons. It made me think about the words I use to describe interactions with nature.
Opening Line:
“Lucy, we’re going to love this place!” Dad called to me
from the porch of the faded, red-shingled cottage with white trim.
Quotes:
“When I’m thinking about how to frame a shot and when to click, there’s
nothing else. It fills me up in a good way.”
“Putting the camera down, I took a deep, cold breath, pulling it all inside
me—the trees, the mountains, the sky—and held it in for as long as I could.”
“But now that I was wading into the lake, cringing at the gooey bottom and
imagining what
else might be in the
dark water under the dock, it felt cold and gross.”
Other Info:
Cynthia Lord has
been writing ever since she was a child. She has her own writing “shed”, as
well as two bunnies, a guinea pig and a dog.
One of her previous
books, Rules, was named a Newbery
Honor book.
Other books by this author:
Rules
Touch Blue
The Hod Rod Hamster
series
Shelter Pet Squad
Series
Looking for more Marvelous Middle Grade Monday books? Visit
Shannon Messenger’s
blog for a list of bloggers reviewing great books today! Shannon is the founder
of Marvelous Middle Grade Monday and the author of the middle grade novels,
Keeper of the Lost Cities and
Exile (Keeper of the Lost Cities #2).
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It really makes you think about what it's like to be a kid in today's world. Some examples: 
