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Big Winner

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

Fourteen-year-old Skye Richardson had to leave her home, school and friends when she and her mom moved across the country to a small town on the East Coast.

She's not happy about it. Then she gets a part-time job at a local coffee shop and meets Digby Jones. Digby lives in a group home. He loves Ping-Pong and watching his favorite TV shows. He likes things done in a certain way. One day, Digby tells Skye he has the winning million-dollar lottery ticket everyone in town has been talking about. At first, all Skye can think about is how she'd love to have that money to buy her old life back. Soon, however, she begins to worry that people are going to take advantage of her new friend.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

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  • Reviews

    • Kirkus

      March 15, 2023
      After moving to a new town, 14-year-old Skye Richardson wallows in self-pity until she is befriended by Digby Jones, an intellectually challenged co-worker. Relocating from Calgary to Nova Scotia, where her mother grew up, means leaving behind her friends, her babysitting job, and her older brother. Frustrated, Skye self-sabotages, thwarting possible new relationships at school and spending hours doing homework she "never planned to hand in" in a cafe that feels more welcoming than her new house. Cafe co-owner Cheryl hires Skye to work part time after school--on Digby's recommendation. Skye jumps at the opportunity to make some money, having used her babysitting earnings to buy an all-black wardrobe and dye her hair black with blue tips. When Digby asks Skye to keep his secret of having won a million-dollar lottery--and later asks for help figuring out how to divide up the money to donate to others--she is drawn into Digby's life story and moved by his generous heart. Skye also helps Digby navigate the unsettling territory that accompanies leaks about winning lottery tickets. The writing is accessible and at times humorous. Readers will be engaged by plot twists and by Skye's personal growth. The text makes clear that Digby is developmentally disabled, though no labels are used. Characters are assumed White. Enjoyable and heartwarming. (Fiction. 8-12)

      COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

    • School Library Journal

      September 1, 2023

      Gr 4-8-When 14-year-old Skye's family moves to the East Coast, she loses everything familiar to her. To cope, she gets a job at a coffee shop. There she meets Digby, a local group home resident. He loves ping-pong and is particular about how things get done. After the winning lottery numbers are announced, Digby comes into the coffee shop all excited, saying he has the winning ticket. Soon, however, Skye worries that the town is taking advantage of Digby. Can Skye be the friend he needs and help him to see the truth? Or will Digby take it the wrong way? This story is well written, humorous, and draws readers into Skye and Digby's lives. The message and themes of kindness and real friendship are heartening. Plot twists add depth and nuance, and the characters are likable and realistic. Layout is dyslexic-friendly with heavy bottom fonts, letter spacing, and white space. Characters are cued white. The book is written at a second grade level. VERDICT Striving readers who like realistic fiction, friendship stories, or who have ever dreamed of winning the lottery when they get older will want to pick this one up. Recommend for libraries where realistic fiction and hi-lo titles are popular.-Kira Moody

      Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • Kindle Book
  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

Languages

  • English

Levels

  • Lexile® Measure:450
  • Text Difficulty:1-2

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