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CeeGee's Gift
A young girl is born with a mysterious gift.
An old man teaches her what it means to be gifted.
Together they learn the reason we are here on earth is to discover and give our gifts.
Everyone has a gift.
Set in a small island town on the Texas coastal bend, CeeGee’s Gift takes readers to a simpler time, when neighbors sat on front porches, kids took off on bikes all day, and the library was the gathering place for all ages. Twelve-year-old Celia Gene Williamson and her friend, old Mr. Tindale, work together to transform her ability to foretell the future into a gift for others—a chance for the people of Southport to prepare for what is to come, or even change their direction and change the future.
An old man teaches her what it means to be gifted.
Together they learn the reason we are here on earth is to discover and give our gifts.
Everyone has a gift.
Set in a small island town on the Texas coastal bend, CeeGee’s Gift takes readers to a simpler time, when neighbors sat on front porches, kids took off on bikes all day, and the library was the gathering place for all ages. Twelve-year-old Celia Gene Williamson and her friend, old Mr. Tindale, work together to transform her ability to foretell the future into a gift for others—a chance for the people of Southport to prepare for what is to come, or even change their direction and change the future.
- GenresMiddle Grade
217 pages, Paperback
Published February 12, 2019
About the author
Joy H. Selak
5 books18 followersJoy Selak is an author, nonprofit leader and philanthropic advisor in Austin, TX. CeeGee's Gift is her second book and was based on her one act play which won the San Juan Islands Playwrights Festival and was produced for the stage. The manuscript for the novel was awarded Best Young Adult Fiction by the Writers' League of Texas. The published novel won the Pencraft Award for Literary Excellence in YA Fiction for 2019.
Her first book, You Don’t LOOK Sick! Living Well with Invisible Chronic Illness was written with her physician and is a guide for navigating long term illness. USABookNews named You Don’t LOOK Sick! a Finalist for Best Health Book. Joy has spoken across the US to patient groups about the themes of this book.
Learn more about Joy at her website: www.joywrites.com.
Her first book, You Don’t LOOK Sick! Living Well with Invisible Chronic Illness was written with her physician and is a guide for navigating long term illness. USABookNews named You Don’t LOOK Sick! a Finalist for Best Health Book. Joy has spoken across the US to patient groups about the themes of this book.
Learn more about Joy at her website: www.joywrites.com.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 2, 2020
Reviewed by Ciara (age 13) for Reader Views Kids
“CeeGee’s Gift” by Joy H. Selak was an emotional roller coaster for me. Some of the parts in the story were so sad, but at the same time filled with hope. CeeGee has a gift, she can see things before they happen. She feels as if this gift is a curse, one that she has no control over. Until she meets Mr. Tindale who she confides her “knowings” to. Together they try and use her gift to help people better their lives, no matter how hopeless they seem.
I liked how the story took place in such a quaint town, where everyone seemed like family. If something happened, the people of Southport were there for you, and CeeGee was one of those people. It was so sad to read about all the things that happened to the people in this town but CeeGee’s gift turned the sad into good. This is one of those books that after reading it, you think about for hours, going over the lives of the people you just read about and how their stories turned out. I have a greater appreciation for the saying, “Every cloud has a silver lining.”
My favorite character in the story was CeeGee, but at the same time I don’t think I would have liked her gift. I would be worrying about people all the time and trying to help them before they got into trouble. Way too much pressure for me. But the story, even though fiction, made me worry about the outcome of these characters.
I am glad that the author finished the book the way she did, and the reader could see a timeline of the events in the town and how things turned out for the people in Southport. How their lives were changed just because of the kindness of this little girl.
“CeeGee’s Gift”, by Joy H. Selak is a book that will stay with the reader long after you are done. It is a feeling of inspiration and love and one that I am glad I experienced.
“CeeGee’s Gift” by Joy H. Selak was an emotional roller coaster for me. Some of the parts in the story were so sad, but at the same time filled with hope. CeeGee has a gift, she can see things before they happen. She feels as if this gift is a curse, one that she has no control over. Until she meets Mr. Tindale who she confides her “knowings” to. Together they try and use her gift to help people better their lives, no matter how hopeless they seem.
I liked how the story took place in such a quaint town, where everyone seemed like family. If something happened, the people of Southport were there for you, and CeeGee was one of those people. It was so sad to read about all the things that happened to the people in this town but CeeGee’s gift turned the sad into good. This is one of those books that after reading it, you think about for hours, going over the lives of the people you just read about and how their stories turned out. I have a greater appreciation for the saying, “Every cloud has a silver lining.”
My favorite character in the story was CeeGee, but at the same time I don’t think I would have liked her gift. I would be worrying about people all the time and trying to help them before they got into trouble. Way too much pressure for me. But the story, even though fiction, made me worry about the outcome of these characters.
I am glad that the author finished the book the way she did, and the reader could see a timeline of the events in the town and how things turned out for the people in Southport. How their lives were changed just because of the kindness of this little girl.
“CeeGee’s Gift”, by Joy H. Selak is a book that will stay with the reader long after you are done. It is a feeling of inspiration and love and one that I am glad I experienced.
February 24, 2019
Celia Gene, CeeGee, is almost twelve years old and a great kid on the little Magdalena Island. We start the story with her offering to help the elderly Mr. Tindale with his flower beds. But what happens is a prediction and learning about her special ability/curse. CeeGee gets Knowings, a light comes down and tells her different things.
The ones she had three years ago lead to people being hurt or dying and she has locked her ability away for three years and tried to be a normal kid. But this is a constant struggle and she decides to talk to Mr. Tindale to see if he can help her.
This is a touching story of a young girl and a very special yet misunderstood ability. CeeGee is a great kid and it broke my heart to see her struggling with her Knowing. I understand why she thought they were horrible but I was so happy when Mr. Tindale got it through that it wasn’t the case, like when she saved her mom from the baseball. And to see how she used her Knowing was just wonderful.
This is a great story and one that I recommend checking out. I love how it shows to embrace your abilities and how they are really gifts. Joy Selak does a great job with this story. I can’t wait to read more books from her.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
The ones she had three years ago lead to people being hurt or dying and she has locked her ability away for three years and tried to be a normal kid. But this is a constant struggle and she decides to talk to Mr. Tindale to see if he can help her.
This is a touching story of a young girl and a very special yet misunderstood ability. CeeGee is a great kid and it broke my heart to see her struggling with her Knowing. I understand why she thought they were horrible but I was so happy when Mr. Tindale got it through that it wasn’t the case, like when she saved her mom from the baseball. And to see how she used her Knowing was just wonderful.
This is a great story and one that I recommend checking out. I love how it shows to embrace your abilities and how they are really gifts. Joy Selak does a great job with this story. I can’t wait to read more books from her.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
April 6, 2019
I received a copy of this magical book from Goodreads in exchange for a review.
CeeGee is a young girl who has a special talent, one that she has tried to 'turn off'. It isn't until she confides to her older neighbor, Mr. Tisdale, that together they are able to turn CeeGee's ability into something that will help other people.
This story is like a garden still in bud, with each flower representing someone whose life CeeGee will touch is some wonderful way. By the end of the story, the garden is in full bloom. I will remember this story, and more importantly, I will remember that one person, even a child, can change the world.
CeeGee is a young girl who has a special talent, one that she has tried to 'turn off'. It isn't until she confides to her older neighbor, Mr. Tisdale, that together they are able to turn CeeGee's ability into something that will help other people.
This story is like a garden still in bud, with each flower representing someone whose life CeeGee will touch is some wonderful way. By the end of the story, the garden is in full bloom. I will remember this story, and more importantly, I will remember that one person, even a child, can change the world.
February 28, 2021
Highly recommended
By the time I was only 53 pages in I knew I had to order this book for my daughter son-in-law and grandchildren. My hope is that they'll read it aloud as a family although there are times it made me cry so I wondered about the reading aloud part. This book covers so many situations and offers all the wisdom I would most like to pass on to my family. It is an excellent read for young and old alike. I can't recommend it highly enough. Well done, Joy Sekak.
By the time I was only 53 pages in I knew I had to order this book for my daughter son-in-law and grandchildren. My hope is that they'll read it aloud as a family although there are times it made me cry so I wondered about the reading aloud part. This book covers so many situations and offers all the wisdom I would most like to pass on to my family. It is an excellent read for young and old alike. I can't recommend it highly enough. Well done, Joy Sekak.
March 30, 2019
CeeGee's Gift
I chose a 5 star rating because there wasn't a 10 star available. This book breaks your heart, lifts you up, gives you hope & smiles through your tears. I haven't been this touched by a story in a long time. I can't recommend it high enough. It's amazing!
I chose a 5 star rating because there wasn't a 10 star available. This book breaks your heart, lifts you up, gives you hope & smiles through your tears. I haven't been this touched by a story in a long time. I can't recommend it high enough. It's amazing!
May 7, 2019
Touching story
I like this book because it is a really touches your heart. The friendship between a little girl who doesn't understand her gift and an old man who helps her is very endearing.
I like this book because it is a really touches your heart. The friendship between a little girl who doesn't understand her gift and an old man who helps her is very endearing.
March 5, 2019
Heartwarming. What a sweet story. The world would be a better place if everyone learned how to share their gifts. This special book comes with a ‘giving guide’ that applies to all of us.
March 24, 2019
Enjoyable to read. A bit thought provoking, with some lessons in living a good life. Thank you Goodreads Giveaways.
June 18, 2019
Great book
March 29, 2021
Wow!! This book made me laugh out loud, and even cry... Great book!!!
July 23, 2023
CeeGee is almost 13 and trying to make sense of her Knowings, experienced as unwanted knowledge about other people &/or their future lives. Mr. Tindale, a kind neighbor who believes all people have gifts, guides CeeGee as she grows through her experiences. I found the book to be insightful and heartwarming. I was personally touched by how the story impacted me. And, I'll be gifting this meaningful book to my granddaughters!
November 17, 2019
A nice, cute, comfortable story. If you are looking for a read that leaves you feeling good and could be enjoyed by all members of your family this book will fill the bill. A simple, sweet story with a host of lessons that could be adopted by most of us. "In compliance with FTC guidelines, I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads."
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews