Umbrella House

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A01=Colleen Nelson
activism
Age Group_Ages 9-11
Age Group_Ages 9-11
artist
Author_Colleen Nelson
automatic-update
Category1=Kids
Category=YFB
Category=YNA
Category=YNF
Category=YNM
Category=YNMK
chapter book
co-op
coming of age
COP=Canada
courage
creating art
defying expectations
Delivery_Delivery within 10-20 working days
East Village
eq_bestseller
eq_childrens
eq_isMigrated=2
eq_nobargain
eq_teenage-young-adult
friendship
gentrification
grandparents
growing up
intergenerational multiracial neighborhood community
Junior high
Language_English
middle-grade fiction
moving away
mural
muralist
new media
New York City
novel
overcoming obstacles
PA=Available
photography
Price_€10 to €20
PS=Active
real estate
seventh grade
softlaunch
the power of art
video editing
Washington
YouTube Influencers

Product details

  • ISBN 9781772783063
  • Dimensions: 140 x 203mm
  • Publication Date: 09 May 2024
  • Publisher: Pajama Press
  • Publication City/Country: CA
  • Product Form: Paperback
  • Language: English
  • Age Group: Ages 9-11
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In this intimate and inspiring novel about the power of art and the value of community, award-winning author and former New Yorker Colleen Nelson brings life and liveliness to an eccentric cast of New York City neighbors.

Middle-schooler and New Yorker Roxy Markowski wants to tell the truth fearlessly and powerfully, just like her idols at Veracity News. She and her best friend Scout already make YouTube videos together about East Village life, so when Veracity News announces a Young Voices video competition, Roxy knows it’s the perfect opportunity to make a name for herself, if only she can find a story worth telling. When a real-estate mogul threatens to buy her historic East Village apartment building, Umbrella House, Roxy sets out to create a video about the people who live in her building, depicting their love for art, community, and family. 

With time—and her options for saving Umbrella House—running out, Roxy finds herself caught up in the mystery of the Midnight Muralist, a famous East Village artist whose murals once made buildings famous and valuable. Could finding this enigmatic artist be the key to saving her historic East Village apartment building?

“Blending fact, fiction, social issues, and friendship, this novel ably highlights young people’s strengths….An uplifting account of creative kids working to preserve a city landmark.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Nelson, who has lived in New York, creates a cast of interesting characters with Umbrella House (a real place with a colorful history) and its neighborhood as the setting. A well-paced story with a satisfying conclusion.”—Booklist

“Nelson’s novel both commends activists’ can-do spirit and emphasizes the heights to which one can go when backed by unwavering communal support.”—Publishers Weekly

An author and elementary school teacher, Colleen Nelson earned her Bachelor of Education from the University of Manitoba in her hometown of Winnipeg. Her previous novels include the critically acclaimed Harvey Comes Home, Sadia, winner of the 2019 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award, and Blood Brothers, selected as the 2018 McNally Robinson Book of the Year for Young People. Colleen writes daily in between appearances at hockey rinks and soccer fields in support of her two sports-loving sons.

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