The Missing Pieces of Me, Jean Van Leeuwen
The Missing Pieces of Me, Jean Van Leeuwen
2 Rating(s)
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The Missing Pieces of Me

Author: Jean Van Leeuwen

Narrator: Jean Van Leeuwen

Unabridged: 4 hr 31 min

Format: Digital Audiobook (DRM Protected)

Published: 10/07/2014

Synopsis

More than anything, ten-year-old Weezie wants to please her momma. She babysits her spoiled half-sister, Ruth Ann, and little Jackson. She makes tea for Momma in Gramma Emmeline’s beautiful teapot. She even tries to cook dinner. But nothing turns out quite right. And Momma is never pleased. Hard times and a daddy who ran off before she was born seem to have stolen all of Momma’s love.If only Weezie could find her daddy, she’s sure her life would be happier. Tired of making up stories about a parent she knows nothing about, Weezie teams up with her bike-riding buddy, Calvin, and new friend, Louella, to find her mysterious father. Does he drive a truck? Sing country and western songs? Why, her real daddy might even be better than the made-up father she’s been telling lies about at school! Now, all she has to do is find him.Jean Van Leeuwen’s poignant, powerful novel introduces a feisty heroine whose brave search proves that even a life that’s missing important pieces can be chock full of things that matter.

About Jean Van Leeuwen

Jean Van Leeuwen is the author of more than fifty children’s books from picture books to beginning readers to middle-grade fiction, including The Great Cheese Conspiracy and Five Funny Bunnies: Three Bouncing Tales, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf. Her books have won numerous awards, including the William Allen White Award, the South Carolina Children’s Book Award, the Washington Irving Children’s Choice Award, and many ALA Notable Book citations. Her popular Oliver and Amanda Pig Easy-to-Read series was called “timeless as the truths of childhood” by the New York Times. A former children’s book editor, she lives in Chappaqua, New York.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Sandy

4.5 stars I’m a trailer kid and my momma says I’m a bad kid too, but I try not to get too hung up on these issues. I like to hang around with Calvin as he’s the nicest person you’ve ever met and he takes me places on his bike. Momma seems to cast her anger out on me more than my siblings Ruth Ann and......more

Goodreads review by PinkAmy loves books, cats and naps

Ten year old Weezie just can't seem to please her Momma. She babysits her half-sister and brother every night and all day Saturday, cleans the trailer even though Momma never notices, even cooks dinner. Momma never even says thank you. More than anything, Weezie wants to find her Daddy, but she does......more

Goodreads review by Kimberley

With a first chapter titled "Broken" and a first sentence that reads "Momma says I'm a bad girl," I wondered how this story would unfold. At times, it made my heart ache, but I appreciate a book that gives an honest, unapologetic look at how life is for some children. Grace Louise is 10 years old an......more

Goodreads review by Galilea

I really liked this book the most. Because I feel like I related to her because she describes how her mom comes home from work tired and complains, she tries to help her but instead ruins things. This book is a mysterious book because she first tries to find information about her father who she does......more

Quotes

“[T]his quiet book reveals the capacity for good within the characters…and leaves readers with a sense of empathy and understanding about the importance of self-confidence.” —School Library Journal (starred review) “This tightly written chapter book has just the right amount of pathos for middle-grade readers.” —Kirkus Reviews “Van Leeuwen avoids a happy ending that would ring false with the novel’s unstinting realism, but Weezie’s newfound strength and her growing understanding of the murkiness of life and love make for a satisfying finish.” —Publishers Weekly

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