Life is hard enough for Tansy with her depressed mom away indefinitely and her dad making a mess of things at home. But then Dad sends her down the hall to a wrinkly old babysitter named Miss Stella, who Tansy hates on sight. Miss Stella has a unique perspective on life, to say the least, but with the help of her best friend Parveen, Tansy gradually learns to manage all the changes in her life and make unexpected new friends in the process.
"A beautifully told tale that tackles some heavy topics...No condescending, oversimplified pabulum here."
– The Now Newspaper
"Full of thought-provoking issues, this was a novel I fully enjoyed."
– The Reading Zone blog
"There are several storylines and themes that are skillfully intertwined in this novel... [and] the character of quirky Miss Stella is particularly unique and appealing."
– CM Magazine
"Peterson manages to blend aspects of forming friendships with the most unexpected people and finding hope and strength within ourselves...A delight to read and highly recommended."
– Resource Links
"Recommended."
– Tucson Unified School District
"Excellent...This book would make a good class set."
– Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group
"Top notch... This is a wise purchase for a library that will make a good read-a-loud and will entertain the adult reading the book as well as the children listening. "
– Puget Sound Council for Reviewing Children's Media
Chocolate Lily | 2010 | Winner
Resource Links "The Year's Best" selection | 2008 | Commended
Silver Birch Express Award nominee | 2010 | Short-listed
SYRCA Diamond Willow Award nominee | 2010 | Short-listed
CCBC Best Books | 2010 | Commended
