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It's 1963, a fateful year in the life of 12-year-old Carmen Cathcart and her country, but what Carmen wants to know is this: Will she make any friends at all now that her family's moved again? What will it be like, turning 13? And how did a girl who loved to read and draw and daydream about becoming a great artist one day end up getting born into a big messy family with all these noisy little brot... More

It's 1963, a fateful year in the life of 12-year-old Carmen Cathcart and her country, but what Carmen wants to know is this: Will she make any friends at all now that her family's moved again? What will it be like, turning 13? And how did a girl who loved to read and draw and daydream about becoming a great artist one day end up getting born into a big messy family with all these noisy little brothers? And now Carmen's mom is going to have another baby!
Before the year and the story come to an end, Carmen will learn plenty about friendship, family, and holding on to her dreams, but not without unexpected tragedies,tears, and laughter.

"Especially true and tender" School Library Journal

"I love this book and its people, who run and walk and stumble right off the pages into your head and heart. They are tough-tender Carmen Cathcart and her "bizwang" messed-up family... There's heartbreak and joy here, and a full-circle ending that leaves you close to tears and cheering."
Barbara Robinson
author of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

"This coming-of-age tale is wise, funny, and bittersweet. Carmen is a wonderful heroine, and her struggle to hold onto her family without sacrificing her dream of being an artist is one any reader will relish."
Children's Literature

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