"Kate McCarroll Moore has a background in education and was the director of curriculum and instruction for a large school district. She currently teaches online writing courses and is a book coach for a non-profit organization that connects low-income families with access to high quality books. The Poet Laureate for the City of San Ramón, California for three terms, Moore’s latest book of poetry, Avians of Mourning, was released in 2020. She has studied with Naomi Shihab Nye, Tess Taylor, Georgia Heard, and other poets, and believes in the power of poetry to transform lives.
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While skipping lessons at the prestigious ballet academy that her mother forced her to enroll in, 11-year-old Elinor Malcolm meets Indira, a mysterious older girl who encourages her to explore her identity and expand her world. A touch of magical realism infuses their encounters and shapes their relationship. Indira’s influence helps Elinor find a path that ultimately is satisfying for both her and her mother. Friendship, family, identity, and the importance of honest communication and being true to oneself are interwoven themes that create a fascinating tapestry and a very compelling story.
Eleven-year-old Elinor Malcolm just wants to be normal. Lonely, she goes in search of her best self and a best friend.
In Elinormal, her bossy mom threatens to sue if Elinor is not granted a spot in a prestigious ballet academy. The problem is, Elinor has no interest in ballet. While sitting out the first class in an area park she meets Indira who helps her realize that she is a capable and kind individual. Elinor opens up and makes a friend at school who enjoys all the same things she does. The people in her life finally converge—secret identities are revealed, and Elinor has an epiphany about the nature of relationships and the power of love.
In the sequel, New Girl: The Further Adventures of Elinormal, Elinor is ready for the first day of seventh grade when a last-minute phone call turns her world upside down. She misses the first week of school and when she gets back she’s called “the new girl” even though she’s not. Elinor quickly learns that people are complicated and relationships take work. Lots of work. As she discovers who she is, who she wants to be, and what she wants most in life, she struggles to balance friendships, both old and new, while also unraveling her mother’s mysterious past.
Both of these delightful books explore the complexity of friendships, the reality of disappointments, and the trouble with secrets.
Elinor Malcolm is ready for the first day of seventh grade, when a last-minute phone call turns her world upside down, and she misses the first week of school. When she returns, she’s known as the new girl, even though she’s not.
In this sequel to Elinormal, Elinor learns all too quickly that people are complicated and relationships take work. Lots of work. As she’s discovering who she is, who she wants to be, and what she wants most in life, Elinor is balancing friendships, old and new. She’s also unraveling her mother’s mysterious past.
New Girl further explores the complexity of friendships, the reality of disappointments, and the trouble with secrets.
