Bear at the Beach and Other Adventures

The Bear books are back in one volume from Seagrass Press!

At the end of this delicately drawn, exquisitely designed, quiet little book, Bear discovers that what he searches for he already possesses--right at home. – National Parenting Publications Gold Award

A joyous ending, in which Bear admires himself ‘all morning in the mirror,’ brings great relief, as well as a message of love and loyalty. -Kirkus

Independent readers will relate to this engaging little bear. –SLJ

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Honors & Reviews for Brother, Brother / Roaring Brook Press

 

 

Watch the book trailer /Publisher's page / Download the discussion guide

Feature in Shelf Awareness

A Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year

Wilde Award for Young Adults      Novel Novice's Best YA Books

Examiner.com: Best YA of 2013 & 64 YA Books to Give for the Holidays

Nominee, Teen Choice Book of the Year

Carmichael explores the journey to self-discovery, nature versus nurture, defining family values, and recognizing your own strength and character through the appealing Brother and his marvelous entourage. -VOYA

Carmichael instantly reels in the reader with her grippingly real characters and by adding tinges of mystery, heartbreak, and humor. This story grabbed me on the very first page. Teens will be drawn to the theme of clinging to one's identity in a pushy, confusing world. Recommended. –Library Media Connection

"When seventeen-year-old Brother Grace loses the wise, warm, lively grandmother who reared him, he doesn’t know where to turn. Mem, his grandmother, had always been tight-lipped about his background, stressing only that going to visit the island where she grew up as the daughter of the housekeeper of a wealthy family was out of the question. Now that she’s gone, however, Brother makes an unsettling discovery about what the island holds, and he makes the trek to the island to uncover the secrets of his family. Carmichael deftly creates an atmospheric setting; the property, ironically but aptly called Eden, is a paradise infected by sadness and corruption and haunted by tragedy. There Brother finds relatives he never knew: his great uncle (a powerful senator who brooks no challenge to his control over his family) and Brother’s own drug-addicted twin brother. Brother arrives with his own posse, including a childhood friend and his little brother with problems of their own, a strong-willed, intelligent girl he meets on the way, and his dog, Trooper, who is simply everything a dog should be—faithful, heroic, and more than a little psychic....[A] family story with its touch of mystery, well-developed sense of place, and appealing characters." BCCB

"This uplifting underdog story, featuring actual dogs, will draw thoughtful readers with its well-wrought characters and themes of family secrets, romance, and virtue."Suzanne Gordon, SLJ

"[A] gentle, character-driven work that rides on the compassionate nature of the protagonist, set in a richly described landscape of sand and sea. Carmichael makes a powerful case for the influence of a loving family, be it blood relatives or family of choice. She has an ear for teen dialogue and captures the teasing energy of flirtation as well as the jocular, determinedly unsentimental exchanges of young men. With a road trip, family secrets, and romance, there’s a pleasing fullness and symmetry that should draw readers." —Debbie Carton, Booklist

"With a strong sense of mystery, an unusual setting and engaging teen characters-both male and female-Brother, Brother is a perfect page-turner for summer reading, whether readers are on the beach or just dreaming of one."

Deborah Hopkinson, Book Page


"Mysteries and Brother’s discoveries keep the tension powerfully present...balanced with imperfect, but intriguing, complex characters; emotions that ring true; breathtaking turns of phrase and believable growth. This resilient and loving young man understands that what matters to him are the people closest to him, kindness, loyalty and the protection of a steadfast dog."

Susie Wilde, News & Observer

"Carmichael writes movingly of Brother's struggle to understand his real family and thus more about himself. " Carol Moyer, Quail Ridge Books

Author Carmichael has given young adult readers a bevy of characters they can identify with and a hero and heroine that will keep them coming back for more. Joyce Rice, Children's Literature

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FOREIGN EDITIONS of CLAY'S BOOKS

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Honors & Reviews for Wild Things

2018-19 NCSLMA Battle of the Books List

2015-16 NCSLMA Battle of the Books List

Sunshine State Young Award Nominee

Georgia Children's Book Award Nominee

California Young Reader Medal Nominee

Chicago Public Schools Battle of the Books

Rebecca Caudill Book Award Nominee

William Allen White Award Master List

NYSRA Charlotte Award Reading List

A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of the Year

A Bank Street College Best Book of the Year/Starred

American Library Assoc.Notable Children's Book

An NCTE Notable Children's Book

North Carolina Juvenile Literature Award

NAPPA Gold Award

Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book

Featured Review: Fuse #8, SLJ & Publishers Weekly

A Scholastic Instructor Best Kids' Book

ALAN Pick

Chicago Public Schools Women's History List

Maine Regional Library System Cream of the Crop

A Chapel Hill Public Library Best Book

Sakura Medal Nominee (Japan)

NC Children's Book Award Nominee

Keystone State Young Adult Book Award Nominee

YALSA BBYA Nominee

2010 ALA Amelia Bloomer List Nominee

Ed Spicer's Teen Must-Reads:

(video/100 Scope Notes/Spicy Reads review)

Cybils Nominee

*Starred Review* "Zoë Royster, peer to the literary heroines she so loves, is as memorable in her own way as The Great Gilly Hopkins, Opal Buloni and Anne Shirley." Kirkus

*Highlighted Review* "Carmichael's beautifully written story is wonderful. Readers both young and old will find Zoë a likeable and touching character and will be moved by the people who try to help her. This novel is a wonderful addition to any fiction collection. VOYA

*Five stars*  A phenomenal debut book...I was stunned by the depth of the characters, and how I truly connected with many of them. My favorite part was the added perspective...of the wild cat, which adds an excellent dimension... Carmichael...skillfully weaves this story and interesting characters together to create the masterpiece that is WILD THINGS. A must-read for all readers!TeensReadToo.com

"Page by page, and this is a real page-turner, I fell hard for Wild Things."Colleen Mondor

"Wild Things, Clay Carmichael's first YA book, is a joy."

Young Adult and Kids Books Central

   "Zoë’s first-person narration alternates with the observations of a feral tomcat ... and well-drawn eccentric characters add additional sparkle to the magic-touched story. Zoë’s fierce, funny voice is compelling, whether she is describing tense standoffs or moments of rare vulnerability that go straight to the heart."Booklist  

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Wild Things Reader Resources

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German Editions page

ALL FOREIGN EDITIONS

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