Maudie’s brain works differently than most. She’s autistic and the only person she connects with is her dad. Things couldn’t be better because the summer has arrived and Maudie is going to live with him at the cabin she adores in northern California.

It’s far from her home in Texas where she lives during the school year with her mom and step-dad, Ron. The farther the better as Ron is an abusive parent.

Once arriving at the cabin, things deteriorate quickly. Maudie and her dad are forced to leave the cabin due to a forest fire. They eventually relocate to a trailer at Conwy Beach in Southern California where Maudie’s parents first met while in high school.

Maudie grows to love the place. New friends and surfing bring hope she can win the yearly beginner surfer contest. Etta, a veteran of the surfing community is her personal teacher. For the first time, autism is accepted and no one despises her.

Soon enough the summer will be over and Maudie will have to return to Texas. But she really wants to stay with her dad. Being brave enough to tell him that and reveal the abuse she’s been subjected to will determine her future.

The heartfelt first person narration leads to a climatic ending. No spoiler here but I couldn’t put it down, reading the tense final 60 pages in one sitting. This tale of self discovery will appeal to a wide audience, whether it be girls, boys, or adults. I’m putting this one on my 2023 favorites’ list.

Book Birthday: July 11, 2023

********************************************************

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla

1. So many of the secondary characters were strong helpers in Maudie’s life: Dad, new friend, Paddi, and Etta the famous senior surfer all demonstrate compassion and understanding for a girl who processes events in her life differently.
2. Paddi’s mother, Dr, Shakti, heads a nearby school that focuses on neurodivergent kids. It’s the type of school Maudie would do well at if given the chance.
3. Vividly displays how autism should be treated whether in an educational setting or at home.
4. Though mostly a prose based novel, many of Maudie’s characteristics come forth in short verse like descriptions. A great window into autism.
5. Starting over and finding one’s self worth were wonderful highlights to this engaging plot.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR, Sally J, Pla

People often ask how to pronounce my last name. It’s pronounced with an ahh sound. If you go to northeast Spain/Catalonia, you may hear the name Pla, because it’s quite common there. It means a flat, level area, as in a plaza or plateau.

I’ve thought of myself as a writer since I was in second grade at Mill Hill School in Southport, Connecticut, and my teacher said nice things and encouraged me. Really special teachers can change your whole life for the better. But I haven’t always been a writer. I’ve grown and changed and I’ve done lots of different things.

I’ve lived in lots of different places — New York, Connecticut, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, California, and Caracas, Venezuela, along with spending a lot of time in France, where my husband is from. I’ve found many things to love in every single one of those places. Right now, I live in San Diego, California. I love it here.

(for more about Sally visit her author web site and my favorite quote: “We are all stars shining with different lights.”)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

COMMENTS ARE WELCOME BELOW.

BE SURE TO ALSO VISIT THE OTHER BLOGGERS ON TODAY’S MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY!