Editorial Reviews for Izzy Strikes Gold!
A Whimsical Adventure with Heartfelt Lessons
. . . Caught in a web of dilemmas, can Izzy hold on to hope?
. . . Through Izzy's story, Sommers masterfully delves into relevant and complex topics, such as identity crisis, peer pressure, and emotional turmoil in adolescents.
. . . A poignant and thought-provoking middle-grade read that offers deep insights into the human experience, the power of resilience, and the importance of relationships and personal growth.--The Prairies Book Review
. . . sparkles with possibility, opportunities, and moments that drive Izzy into the adult world of practicality from a child's world of dreams.
. . . strong dialogues [and] a compelling drama that moves between magical play and real-world dilemmas.
. . . Izzy Strikes Gold! reveals and defines more kinds of riches than young readers (and many an adult) might initially anticipate. This makes for a delightful journey, indeed.
-Midwest Book Review
+++++++++++++++++
SUMMER 1957: Twelve-year-old IZZY, long on hope and short on cash, claws golden nuggets from the waters of a secret spring. His co-discoverer COLLUM swears him to secrecy.
Izzy hopes to be a regular kid, not just the class shrimp. Half his brain teems with schemes to fit in with his peers, while the other half struggles to keep his family from falling apart.
MOM and DAD are at odds, Izzy helpless to save their marriage. THE RUSSIANS launch the first artificial satellite, blighting Izzy's hopes of space-age glory. Bullying LYLE dashes Izzy's self-image; breathtaking IRMA ignores his wistful ardor; and GRANDPA, who taught him to be brave, wastes away in a hospital room.
Money could ease these woes-but Izzy has pledged silence about the gold in the hidden spring.
Deep in dilemmas, how can Izzy hold on to hope?
Includes discussion questions and a glossary of 1950s terms
