Back of Book:
A young boy who loves his community notices that as neighbors stop interacting, the colors around them slowly fade. Then a thunderstorm sweeps away the last hints of bluebird skies and lemon-Popsicle days and leaves a rift in the road that doesn’t get fixed. As the adults around him move on, the boy dreams of the way life once was. He decides that he doesn’t want to live in a world without color, so he sets out to change things…
My Review:
I received this book from Two Lions Publishing and Blue Slip Media in exchange for an honest review.
I am so excited to be a part of the blog tour for this sweet and relevant story.
Between the Lines by Lindsay Ward is a heartfelt and inspiring story about not allowing the tough things to overshadow the bright and things in life. The story follows a young boy as reminisces about the time in his life when colors faded away. Soon, everything was different, and only unanswered questions remained. The boy dreams about colors and how they once united the neighborhood. Finally, one day the boy decides that he must be the change that wishes to see. Slowly the community comes together to repair the brokenness and bring back the color. Ward using lyrical and descriptive words to showcase the importance of coming together as a community. Although the pandemic is not specifically mentioned, readers will recognize that there are parallels between this story and their own experiences with lockdown and fear. The illustrations are done with a mix of colorful and black and white images. Each spread is filled with details that connect the readers with the story. Between the Lines is a moving story that is perfect for any social and emotional learning unit. As well as a perfect read-aloud for home.
Ages 5 and up
48 Pages
“A vibrant neighborhood loses its color, literally, as the community becomes fractured.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The illustrations…bring the atmosphere and ideas of the story to life. The depictions of both isolation and community in a dense urban neighborhood are poignant, especially after a year when COVID-19 forced people worldwide to forgo, and then to reinvent, community togetherness.” —Booklist
Lindsay Ward is the creator of the Dexter T. Rexter series as well as Rosie: Stronger than Steel; This Book Is Gray; Brobarians; Helping Hospital; the Wheels on the Go series; Rosco vs. the Baby; and The Importance of Being 3. Her book Please Bring Balloons was also made into a play. Lindsay lives with her family in Peninsula, Ohio with her family. Learn more about her online at www.lindsaymward.com.
Twitter: @lindsaymward
Instagram: lindsaymward
Check out a storytime for Between the Lines and other books here on Lindsay Ward’s website!
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