Just One Gift

Name: Just One Gift
Brand: Harper Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Linda Sue Park
ISBN: 9780063475861

Author: Linda Sue Park

Narrator: Vyvy Nguyen, David Lee Huynh

Unabridged: 49 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Clarion Books

Published: 04/07/2026

Categories: Children's Fiction, School, Children's Social Themes, Children's Poetry

Synopsis

Exploring themes of community and gratitude, Newbery Medalist Linda Sue Park captures the diverse voices of a lively classroom discussion in a thought-provoking story told through linked poems: Love that Dog meets Seedfolks!The assignment: If you could give someone special in your life a present—just one gift—who would you choose, and what would it be? Discuss. Certain students know their answers right away. A few find their answers more slowly. And while some responses spark lively conversation, others are revealed only in the privacy of journal pages. But all of the choices are as heartfelt as they are unexpected. In accessible verse that highlights transformative moments of connection, Linda Sue Park celebrates the ways—big and small, obvious and unanticipated—our lives are enriched by the people we encounter. Robert Sae-Heng contributes black-and-white art to this eloquent stand-alone read that is also a welcomed companion to the popular The One Thing You’d Save.

About Linda Sue Park

Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medal winner for A Single Shard and #1 New York Times bestseller for A Long Walk to Water, is the renowned author of picture books and novels for young readers. She lives in Western New York. Learn more at lindasuepark.com.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Diana (diana_reads_and_reads) on August 19, 2025

Did I open and read this within an hour of getting the approval? I did. Linda Sue Park is one of my all time favorite authors, and she did not disappoint here. When I review middle grade, if it’s not for me, I try to think about it from the perspective of a middle grader. But I think truly great mid......more

Goodreads review by Kara on October 08, 2025

Just like it's companion, The One Thing You'd Save, this story in verse is inspired by Korean sijo style poetry. It is another beautiful classroom conversation that is started by a teacher giving a real "thinker" question. The teacher forces the kids to think deeply about the people around them by c......more

Goodreads review by Amanda on December 30, 2025

This is cute, perfect for middle grade readers! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.......more

Goodreads review by Ashley on April 02, 2026

(3.5 rounded up) A really sweet snapshot of a classroom discussion surrounding empathy and gift-giving to show appreciation. Inspired by sijo (a traditional Korean verse form) this was a lyrical and cozy read. I’d love to see the artwork in the final product! Thank you to Clarion Books and HarperColl......more

Goodreads review by Vicky on August 23, 2025

What a touching and memorable book told through linked poems. The teacher has asked her class to think about a gift they would give a friend or family member. It should be something they’ve never asked for but something you think they would like or need. It is not something you are actually giving t......more