Big & Little Questions (According to Wren Jo Byrd)

Nine-year-old Wren’s life is a mess – her parents have separated and she doesn’t want anyone to know, and her best friend Amber found a new best friend, Marianna, over the summer. Wren feels totally out of step with everyone and much to her surprise it is Marianna who may be able to help her feel normal once again. This insightful book for grades 3-8 deals with issues of family dynamics, friendship, trust, divorce, and facing personal adversity, and can be used for read-aloud, literature circles, and novel studies. Students will empathize with the characters and make personal connections, but some of the issues faced by the main characters may warrant teacher preparation and discussion.