Sister Spider Knows All

"Americans tend to avoid discussing class differences, and this charming story about a girl who lives in a trailer with her chain-smoking, obese grandmother is something out of the ordinary... The lines between the classes become somewhat blurred and we understand that life is pretty much that way, and that a loving, close family is a treasure whatever circumstances they are living in." Kliatt "Delivered in a wry voice that swings from laugh-out-loud funny to wrenching sadness, Rox's narrative is neither sentimental nor condescending, and details of place, people, and class conflict emerge in plain poetic imagery... " Booklist "...a richly drawn story of human dynamics, offering both support for people as they are and hope for their growth." Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "A Best of 2003 for Young Readers: Dead-on dialogue and strong, complex characters." The Washington Post * 2003 Parents' Choice Recommended Award * 2003 Young Adult Top Forty List (PA)