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15th out of 139 books
—
409 voters
Touch Blue
by
Cynthia Lord
An exquisite second novel from the Newbery Honor author of RULES! TOUCH BLUE, sure as certain, will touch your heart.
The state of Maine plans to shut down her island’s schoolhouse, which would force Tess’s family to move to the mainland--and Tess to leave the only home she has ever known. Fortunately, the islanders have a plan too: increase the numbers of students by havin...more
The state of Maine plans to shut down her island’s schoolhouse, which would force Tess’s family to move to the mainland--and Tess to leave the only home she has ever known. Fortunately, the islanders have a plan too: increase the numbers of students by havin...more
Hardcover, 192 pages
Published
August 1st 2010
by Scholastic Press
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A very sweet, touching story. It's age-appropriate (9 to 12, I should think), but it truly shows the anguish and loss foster children go through as a regular part of their lives. Tess sounds like a very recognizable, real eleven-year-old girl, and the author integrated the rural island setting very well into the story. The ending was great, too -- it was conclusive and hopeful, not all neatly-wrapped-up-live-happily-ever-after, but more like how real life would be. I think 9-to-12s, particularly...more
Eleven-year-old Tess knows what she wants. She wants to stay on her tiny island home forever and she wants to be a fisherman when she grows up. She wants this plan to work because she can't even think about moving to the mainland and starting all over. The plan? To save their tiny island school from being shut down, island families have agreed to take in foster children. Which is how Aaron comes to live with them. Tess is hoping that Aaron will be like Anne from Anne of Green Gables - a feisty f...more
Tess firmly believes in luck and does all sorts of things to try and capture some of it. But wishes and luck are difficult things to grab ahold of as Tess quickly discovers. On her island home, the number of children have fallen below the threshold to have a school. If nothing is done, Tess and her family will have to leave the island and Tess will be unable to become a fisherman the way she wants to. So the islanders decide to take in foster children to both increase the number of children on t...more
Cynthia Lord
Realistic Fiction
190 pages
A girl named Tess lives in Maine. Her school is about to shut down because there aren't enough students to meet the schools rules, so each family going to the school can if they want take in a foster child. Tess's family takes in a foster child that Tess didn't expect at all to be like. Tess along the way get to realize what the true meaning of friendship is also what the true meaning of family. Aaron (the foster child) expresses emotions and gets readers t...more
Realistic Fiction
190 pages
A girl named Tess lives in Maine. Her school is about to shut down because there aren't enough students to meet the schools rules, so each family going to the school can if they want take in a foster child. Tess's family takes in a foster child that Tess didn't expect at all to be like. Tess along the way get to realize what the true meaning of friendship is also what the true meaning of family. Aaron (the foster child) expresses emotions and gets readers t...more
Tess is a slightly superstious 11 year old living on a small island off the coast of Maine. She's dealing with her best friend's move to the mainland and the possibility of her family moving from the only home she's ever known. Due to the small number of students, the island's only school may close. In order to delay the closure, island families offer to host foster children to increase the number of children enrolled in the school. Tess' family hosts Aaron, who has bounced since he was five; hi...more
My readers, my very ambitious readers, have tackled the MBCA list early this year. I grabbed this title, remembering fondly Lord's other book Rules. This one was tougher.It just didn't grab me entirely, and so I might be reviewing it a bit harshly. To save their one-room school house on a tiny island off the coast of Maine, the Brooks family, along with some other families on the island decide to foster some children to boost the island's population. Already, I was having a problem with the stor...more
“Touch blue and your wish will come true.”
Tess Brooks believes in luck. She stands on the pier waiting for her new foster brother, Aaron, to step off the ferry at Bethsaida island thinking about luck. Luck that Aaron will like her family. Luck that school won’t be closed. But then she spots Aaron and his red hair that shines out of the crowd like a beacon. Her heart sags; everyone knows it’s unlucky to ride a boat with a red-head.
This is the setup for the story where Aaron has to learn to live w...more
Tess Brooks believes in luck. She stands on the pier waiting for her new foster brother, Aaron, to step off the ferry at Bethsaida island thinking about luck. Luck that Aaron will like her family. Luck that school won’t be closed. But then she spots Aaron and his red hair that shines out of the crowd like a beacon. Her heart sags; everyone knows it’s unlucky to ride a boat with a red-head.
This is the setup for the story where Aaron has to learn to live w...more
After reading Lord's book Rules, this book was a disappointment. While Rules had memorable characters, Touch Blue did not. Tess, the eleven-year-old main character, was superstitious and enjoyed fishing with her dad. What else? I have no recollection. Memorable characters, good and bad, help to engage the reader.
Aaron, the foster boy Tess's family took in, was a bit more memorable, but I never felt like I truly understood what he had been through. There were a few hints, but nothing to enlighten...more
Aaron, the foster boy Tess's family took in, was a bit more memorable, but I never felt like I truly understood what he had been through. There were a few hints, but nothing to enlighten...more
Eleven-year-old Tess loves her quaint island home. When the government threatens to close their school due to a small student body, Tess is terrified. This would mean having to move to the mainland for her mother to work and for her to attend school. And she would no longer be able to go lobstering with her father. The town hatches a brilliant plan to increase their school attendance - take in foster kids! Tess's family is given the opportunity to welcome a sullen, red-haired musician into their...more
The heroine of this novel is Tess, a superstitious girl contentedly living with her family on an island off the coast of Maine. When her family takes in a sulky 13 year old foster child named Aaron in order to help keep the local school open, she uses every trick in the book (of superstitions) to make him like living with her family in this small village where everyone knows everyone else's business. [Spoiler ahead] Things never seem to turn out the way she expects, and she changes her mind abou...more
“Wishes are slippery. You have to be very specific or you can get exactly what you wished for and still end up with nothing.”
Tess lives on an island off of Maine. The island is small, Tess’s school is small and Tess likes it that way. The trouble is, according to the State of Maine her school has gotten too small and is scheduled to be shut down, which means Tess and her family will have to move to the mainland. Tess wishes more than anything to stay on the island.
The islanders come up with an i...more
Tess lives on an island off of Maine. The island is small, Tess’s school is small and Tess likes it that way. The trouble is, according to the State of Maine her school has gotten too small and is scheduled to be shut down, which means Tess and her family will have to move to the mainland. Tess wishes more than anything to stay on the island.
The islanders come up with an i...more
I enjoyed this book about a family that lives on a small island off of Maine. After another family moves away taking all their kids, there aren't enough students to support the school, so unless more kids move to the island that summer, the school will close. The reverend comes up with a plan to have families foster kids, bringing the student total up to enough to support the school. The family in this story adopts a teenage boy. He is a great musician, but struggles with moving from foster home...more
"Sometimes you have to stop trying to control everything and let life happen the way it's supposed to, Tess. Even if it's not exactly the way you wanted."
Touch Blue was a charming book about an eleven-year-old girl, Tess, her family, a foster child, a bully, and a quaint town that is close to losing their only school. The premise was interesting: families decide to bring in foster children to help save the school, but the story went beyond that.
Bringing in a foster child creates a certain stress...more
Touch Blue was a charming book about an eleven-year-old girl, Tess, her family, a foster child, a bully, and a quaint town that is close to losing their only school. The premise was interesting: families decide to bring in foster children to help save the school, but the story went beyond that.
Bringing in a foster child creates a certain stress...more
This book is adorable. I think it has some really loving qualities in it. The character relationships really connect and make a lot of the book, but that's a fairly important reason about why this is a good book. The main character, Tess, goes through a lot of changes in this book as a person, and I think her strongest relationship is with Aaron. The scenes where she really shows a lot of her character are things like when she's out fishing with her dad, but also when she gets into a squabble wi...more
Heartwarming, sweet, and evocative, TOUCH BLUE is the story of Tess and her family, who live on an island off the coast of Maine and become one of five families to take in a foster child in hopes of keeping their island schoolhouse open. Complex emotions, authentic voice, and characters that leap off the page.
Eleven-year-old Tess Brooks lives on a small island off the coast of Maine. Because several students moved away, the State of Maine has plans to close down the island school due to low enrollment. If that happens, Tess and her classmates will have to go to school on the mainland. The islanders think they've come up with a perfect plan to prevent that. Several families adopt foster children in order to boost the student population. Tess' family invites a young man named Aaron into their home. Und...more
A small island community off the coast of Maine decides to take in some foster kids in attempts to keep their little school in commission. The book focuses on a superstitious little girl, Tess, who's family takes in a moody 13-year-old boy. The story explores the difficulties of adding a new family member, joining a new family, fitting into a tight-night community, and 'everyday' friendship struggles.
I really liked how this book touches upon a difficult topic, but does so in a appropriate way fo...more
I really liked how this book touches upon a difficult topic, but does so in a appropriate way fo...more
This is a good book for 10-12 year olds. I'd recommend it to an 11 year old girl or boy for sure.
When 11-year-old Tess finds out that they are taking in a foster child, 13-year-old Aaron, she knows that she will need all the luck she can get and a plan of her own. If he doesn't like it, he'll leave to another house and Tess will have to move too because the school where her mother works is being threatened by the State.
Right away, Aaron seems to not like it on the small island where Tess and h...more
When 11-year-old Tess finds out that they are taking in a foster child, 13-year-old Aaron, she knows that she will need all the luck she can get and a plan of her own. If he doesn't like it, he'll leave to another house and Tess will have to move too because the school where her mother works is being threatened by the State.
Right away, Aaron seems to not like it on the small island where Tess and h...more
Touch Blue
by Cynthia Lord
To save an island school, islanders decide to take in foster children. Just a few more children attending this school and state funding will continue; otherwise, the school will close its doors forever. Foster homes get a bad rap, but Tess's family is loving and caring, and she and her little sister are thrilled to have a new big brother as a part of their family. But does Adam want a new family? Readers will plow through this easy, gentle story filled with endearing sma...more
by Cynthia Lord
To save an island school, islanders decide to take in foster children. Just a few more children attending this school and state funding will continue; otherwise, the school will close its doors forever. Foster homes get a bad rap, but Tess's family is loving and caring, and she and her little sister are thrilled to have a new big brother as a part of their family. But does Adam want a new family? Readers will plow through this easy, gentle story filled with endearing sma...more
11 year old Tess loves living on a small island in Maine with her fisherman father, school teacher mother and little sister - but the state is threatening to close the island's school house due to declining enrollment. Tess' family may have to make some very hard choices soon.
The islanders come up with a plan to increase enrollment by taking in foster children. This too requires some hard choices.
The story really resonated with me; partly because I read it while in Maine, and partly because one...more
The islanders come up with a plan to increase enrollment by taking in foster children. This too requires some hard choices.
The story really resonated with me; partly because I read it while in Maine, and partly because one...more
Superstitious Tess, daughter of a lobsterman and the island’s schoolteacher, is worried. Her friend Amy’s family moved off the island last year, dropping the enrolled student population below the state of Maine’s minimum threshold. If the state follows through on its threat to close the school before the fall term begins, Tess’ family will be forced to move to the mainland. So, her family and several others have agreed to foster school-aged kids, in the hopes that this will convince the state to...more
After rules caught me by surprise, i should have known that just because a cynthia lord book's subject matter wasn't my usual i was going to enjoy it... And its another homerun, with strong characters and a warm soul!
This book was hard to start in the beginning but it had a good meaning all throughout. This book was about a girl named Tess that lives on an island named Bethsaida. She believes in luck and thinks that it can change your future. A new boy named Aarron moves into the island and is now Tess's family's foster child. Aarron has somewhat of a temper. He yearns to see his mom but has a beautiful talent on the trumpet and the piano. Will Aaron be able to see his mom again and get to know Tess and her...more
Apr 04, 2012
Vernon Area Public Library
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
junior-high-fiction,
realistic-fiction
Eleven-year-old Tess Brooks lives on a small island off the coast of Maine. The State of Maine has plans to close down the island school due to low enrollment. The islanders think they've come up with a perfect plan. Several families adopt foster children in to boost the student population. Tess' family invites adopts a young man named Aaron. Things start out a bit rocky, when Aaron is taunted by a local bully for being an "orphan". But after Aaron shows musical talent by playing his trumpet at...more
cute...but better (and funnier) when I read it the first time, when it was called surviving the applewhites ;)
7/13/12 ** Young Hoosier nominee for 2012-13.
Excellent, touching. What do you do if you live on a small island off the coast of Maine and there are so few year-round residents that the state wants/needs to close down your small school? One unique solution - have several families agree to take in foster children? What are the ethics of taking in a foster child if you're doing it to get something in return?
This lovely tale, set roughly in the present time, relates the difficulties and joys faced...more
Excellent, touching. What do you do if you live on a small island off the coast of Maine and there are so few year-round residents that the state wants/needs to close down your small school? One unique solution - have several families agree to take in foster children? What are the ethics of taking in a foster child if you're doing it to get something in return?
This lovely tale, set roughly in the present time, relates the difficulties and joys faced...more
The state of Maine doesn't feel that the island of Bethsaida has enough children to justify keeping their school open. So island residents have decided to solve two problems together by taking in foster children, including Tess Brooks and her family. They are taking a chance on thirteen-year-old Aaron, who comes not only carrying a trumpet but plenty of emotional baggage as well. Tess believes in the magic of luck, from never whistling on a boat to touching something blue. Lord creates believabl...more
Jun 10, 2012
Katie
is currently reading it
The book touch blue is amazing.I love reading it!!!! In the book right now Tess sent a letter to Aaron's mother ( Aaron is a foster child) asking if she could come and see Aaron play the trumpet in a talent show because she has never seen him play before. After Tess sent the letter she had been waiting and finally got a letter back. The letter only had two words in it , I'll try. So know Aaron has been happy and excited to see his mom. Tesses parents don't know about the letters and all the talk...more
A Quickie Review
When a Maine island's school is threatened to be shut down by the state's government, the residents of the isle adopt kids in an attempt to save their schoolhouse. Narrated by 11-year-old Tess, the story is as innocent as a Disney Channel Original Movie, and even portrays hymns, a preacher, and Christian faith in a positive light. However, some discussion of "wishing" superstition is odd, given the rest of the book. It's nothing special, but Touch Blue was a mildly enjoyable read...more
When a Maine island's school is threatened to be shut down by the state's government, the residents of the isle adopt kids in an attempt to save their schoolhouse. Narrated by 11-year-old Tess, the story is as innocent as a Disney Channel Original Movie, and even portrays hymns, a preacher, and Christian faith in a positive light. However, some discussion of "wishing" superstition is odd, given the rest of the book. It's nothing special, but Touch Blue was a mildly enjoyable read...more
I enjoyed Cynthia Lord's new book as much as I enjoyed her first one-Rules! Her voice is beautiful and the setting (an island off the coast of Maine) is so explicitly described that you feel as if you are there! Tess's family and some of the other families agree to take in foster children so that they have enough students to keep their one-room school house open. The alternative will be to move back to the mainland. There's lots to learn about how a foster child feels and how difficult it is for...more
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“Stay because you want to be here. Stay because we would miss you. And stay because you can belong in more than one place, and one of your places is with us.”
—
17 people liked it
“People say it's better to know the truth, but what if the ending's a bad one? Is it still better to know? Or is it kinder to keep that string of hope dangling? To believe that maybe if you just wait long enough, everything could still end the way you want.”
—
11 people liked it
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Dec 05, 2010 12:04pm