Norma Fox Mazer was an American author and educator, celebrated for her contributions to children's and young adult literature. Her writing possessed a remarkable skill for revealing the human qualities within both ordinary and extraordinary situations as young people mature. Mazer's narratives offered insights into the often painful rite of passage into adulthood, making her work resonant for readers of all ages. She was a significant voice in literature, adept at exploring the complexities of adolescence with profound empathy and understanding.
The story follows a young girl's transformative journey as she finds herself transported back in time. This unexpected adventure challenges her perceptions and forces her to navigate a different era, where she encounters unique characters and experiences that shape her identity. Through her time-traveling escapades, she learns valuable lessons about courage, friendship, and the impact of history on her present life.
Set against the backdrop of World War II, the narrative follows Karin Levi and her brother Marc as they navigate the dangers of German-occupied Paris. Forced to flee for their lives, they face the heart-wrenching decision of leaving their parents behind for a chance at safety in the United States. The story highlights the resilience of family bonds and the enduring power of love amidst the chaos of war, offering a poignant glimpse into the experiences of European refugees during this tumultuous period.
Ten-year-old Sprig no longer gets along with her twelve-year-old sister, Dakota, but the two pull together during their father's extended business trip to Afghanistan, sharing concerns about his safety, an elderly neighbor's health, fights with their best friends, and boys.
Terri learns that she was kidnapped by her father as a child, and that her mother is still alive.
The story follows fourteen-year-old Toni as her seemingly lucky life unravels during a challenging summer. After her father’s near-fatal heart attack and the departure of her best friend, Toni is sent to New York City to stay with her sister, Martine. There, she discovers a shocking family secret that alters her perspective on luck and resilience. This coming-of-age tale explores themes of family, change, and the struggle to find hope amidst adversity.
Joyce, an eleven-year-old girl known as the Dump Queen due to her uncle's garbage dump, navigates life with her quirky friend Mrs. Fish, the school custodian. Their friendship brings joy to Joyce's otherwise challenging life. However, when her reclusive uncle falls ill, Joyce faces the difficult task of persuading him to accept help from Mrs. Fish, testing her independence and resilience in the process.
Norma Fox Mazer's remarkable story of two sisters fighting to survive against a world without caring, reissued in a 10th anniversary paperback edition, to coincide with Mazer's new novel in hardcover. In the sad, shabby trailer where Em Thurkill lived her first fourteen years, suffering her father's alcoholic rages and her mother's deathly silence, and in the three she lived trapped with her violent, unstable sister, there seems more than enough to end even the dream of hope. Yet Em Thurkill's story is a story of how hope outlives brutality. It is a story of one girl's sweetness, and almost unbearable pain. Heartbreaking, mesmerizing, and ultimately transcendent, this novel is a tribute to the astonishing resilience of the human soul.
The narrative centers on five sisters—Beauty, Mim, Stevie, Fancy, and Autumn—exploring their relationships and individual journeys. Intertwined with their lives is a mysterious man who observes the dynamics among them. As the sisters navigate their unique challenges and experiences, themes of family, identity, and the complexities of observation and connection emerge, creating a rich tapestry of emotion and intrigue.
The narrative explores a girl's heartfelt journey as she navigates her family's financial and personal struggles. Through a creative blend of poems and journal entries, her curiosity and resilient spirit shine through, capturing the complexities of her emotions and experiences with loss.
Meeting Mitch had cured Nina’s college blues. He’s just what she needs to learn about the real college experience – serious relationships. Mitch, too, has wanted someone; it hasn’t been easy dropping out of school and starting out on his own. Nina’s thrilled to move in with Mitch, and she’s amazed by her new popularity with her former roommates and, most especially, her English professor. But soon their apartment seems smaller while their fights grow longer, and Nina realizes they’re both changing. It was easy to fall in love…why couldn’t they stay that way?
