Growing Wings

"Linnet waited with her eyes closed for the door to open and her mother to peek in. Waited for her to touch Linnet's shoulder blades lightly...Linnet knew that touch in her bones, as if it had happened every night of her life. An imprint, a memory of the skin itself." So begins this startling first novel about an eleven-year-old girl who suddenly begins to grow wings -- wings with soft auburn feathers, which only at first can be hidden with long hair and loose clothes. Funny, sad, and hopeful, this remarkable story captures a girl's shock at feeling alone in life, as it follows her journey to answer a most important question: how can a girl with wings ever fit into the world?

This book is about dealing with messes. Sometimes known as 'wicked problems', messes (or messy situations) are fairly easy to spot:it's hard to know where to startwe can't define them everything seems to connect to everything else and depends on something else having been done first we get in a muddle thinking about them we often try to ignore some aspect/s of themwhen we finally do something about them, they usually get worse they're so entangled that our first mistake is usually to try and fix them as we would fix a simple problem.

Too often we make Christianity into a faith filled with rules. What was it that intrigued so many people to follow Jesus and sit at His feet? As you read through this book, you will be challenged to re-explore the meaning of the Sermon on the Mount and how it frees us to be followers of Jesus.

Growing Wings tells the story of triumph through trials. In four parts, Jo-Anne takes you on a journey of reaching your higher self. By understanding who and what has been placed in your life to define you, you can come to understand how to re-define yourself. Whichever stage that you are currently in, the poems, prose, and short stories in this book will give you hope and peace amidst your troubles. Always remember, whenever you fall, you will be able to rise again.

The author takes a voyage through the past, the present, the players, and the ponderings of her lifeNsending love letters all along the way. Can letters change a life? They have already changed the life of the author and touched the hearts of the thousands of people around the world who have read her blog.

A renowned dancer and choreographer reminisces about her childhood years, especially the summers at Merriewold, the family estate.

In this "unforgettable" novel for fans of Ibi Zoboi and Erika L. Sánchez (SLJ, starred review), two sisters in Nigeria are separated—one in the lap of luxury, the other fighting for a chance to thrive—in this award-winning novel where the line between family and foe is blurred. Sisters Cheta and Zam couldn’t be more different. Cheta, sharp-tongued and stubborn, never shies away from conflict—either at school or at home, where her mother fires abuse at her. Timid Zam escapes most of her mother’s anger, skating under the radar and avoiding her sister whenever possible. In a turn of good fortune, Zam is invited to live with her aunt’s family in the lap of luxury. Jealous, Cheta also leaves home, but to a harder existence that will drive her to terrible decisions. When the sisters are reunited, Zam alone will recognize just how far Cheta has fallen—and Cheta’s fate will rest in Zam’s hands. Debut author Rimma Onoseta deftly explores classism, colorism, cycles of abuse, how loyalty doesn’t always come attached to love, and the messy truths that sometimes, family is not a source of comfort, and that morality is all shades of grey. Kirkus Prize Finalist * Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year * An SLJ Best Book of the Year * A Children’s Africana Book Award Honor Winner * A Rise: A Feminist Book Project honoree * A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year * Nautilus Silver Award Winner * Amazon August Editors' pick

"What a shock! As I started writing, things took a radical turn. I started digging. I started searching. I started waking up and telling the truth."Nationally known artist Kristen Jongen thought she had overcome life's toughest hurdles. A mother of three, Kristen believed she was in a stable marriage, and financially secure. Until one day, her world exploded and she was left to raise her family on her own and forced to embark on a new career. "Growing Wings" is Jongen's artistic and literary chronicle of her journey back from the depths of despair and into an unexpected, fulfilling new life as an entrepreneur, artist and mother."Growing Wings" will help anyone going through one of life's many transitions. Jongen writes with brutal yet inspirational honesty about the ups and downs of living, losing, and facing the unexpected. A lively, humorous and inspiring read, the book contains Jongen's artistic representations of each phase of her journey. "Growing Wings" is an excellent example of how the human spirit must survive and thrive even in the darkest times.quotes- "Kristen is a strong, uplifting soul who will take you a step closer to the light."-- Susan Mrosek- Poet and Illustrator, Pondering Pool, Inc."Kristen's art IS poetry. This very personal presentation is raw, challenging, funny and will touch nerve and heart. ..."-- Mary Anne Radmacher, Artist, poet and author of Lean Forward into Your Life"This book saved me" Margot Micaleff Canadas top 100 women