4th grade books
4th grade reading books
5th grade books
5th grade reading books
A01=Margaret Gurevich
Author_Margaret Gurevich
books for 10 year old boys
books for 10 year old girls
books for 11 year old boys
books for 11 year old girls
books for 12 year old boys
books for 12 year old girls
books for 8 year old boys
books for 9 year old boys
books for 9 year old girls
books for boys age 9 12
books for young adults
Category=YFN
Category=YND
Category=YXF
Category=YXP
chapter books for kids age 9-12
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family
girls books ages 9-12
performing arts
pop culture
teen books
young adult
Product details
- ISBN 9780593659441
- Weight: 241g
- Dimensions: 140 x 210mm
- Publication Date: 16 Sep 2025
- Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
- Publication City/Country: US
- Product Form: Paperback
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Eleven-year-old Maya’s life is bit of a mess. Her dad just moved out to pursue his stand-up comedy dreams, her mom seems more preoccupied with running the family’s Russian deli than getting Dad back, and Maya’s anxiety and germ worries have only been growing stronger. Her grandma always tells her “slozi goryu ne pomozhet” - tears won’t help sorrow - but right now it’s hard to be strong.
So when her teacher Ms. Banta announces the talent show, Maya sees an opportunity. If she can perform stand-up comedy in the show, she can prove to her mum and dad that comedy has a place in all their lives and try to get them back together. But conquering her fears amidst her family falling apart and a growing hot-hot-hot feeling inside is easier said than done…
In this authentic novel full of both humour and heartbreak, Margaret Gurevich crafts a story about comedy, fractured family, and learning how strength comes in many forms.
Margaret Gurevich (she/her) is a middle-school teacher and the author of Who Was? books as well as the award-winning Chloe by Design series. She has dabbled in stand-up comedy and, like Maya, sometimes crafts jokes in her head while doing errands. She also has many great memories of cooking Russian food with her grandmother. When not writing or teaching, Margaret enjoys hiking, bingeing too many shows, and spending time with her family. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, son, and their wise cat, Goosie.
