A delightful, inspiring read.' - Lisa Moore Ramee, author of A Good Kind of Trouble and Something to Say

I so related with Madalyn grappling with the big and small storms life threw her way and cheered when she learned she had the strength to weather just about anything. A tender, honest look at friendship, family and the changing nature of both.

'In this gentle multigenerational narrative, Davis (Serena Says) explores race, tough conversations, and climate change as her endearing protagonist learns to face conflict and embrace community.' - Publishers Weekly A timely novel full of thought-provoking questions.' - Kirkus Reviews The California setting, amid the reality of the state’s wildfires, will resonate with readers who live with climate-related threats.

'Young readers will grapple with different interpretations and come to their own conclusions about how not to let the bad actions of others allow one to compromise one’s core principles, and the sticky question of whether any part of the burden for making peace rests with those who are the victims of discrimination. As feel-good realistic fiction, this title reminds young readers that families and friendships alike require honesty, compromise, and understanding-especially when the forecast is partly cloudy.' - Booklist (starred review) 'Davis captures the often glossed over tenderness of preadolescence, the space between blossoming independence and a lingering desire for the comfort and support of caregivers. Davis shows us that life isn’t always clear, and that partly cloudy days still contain a bit of blue worth celebrating. But when fire threatens the community, Madalyn discovers that truly being neighborly means more than just staying on your side of the street- it means weathering tough conversations-and finding that together a family can pull through anything.Īward-winning author Tanita S. Baylor brings wild weather of its own, and Madalyn wonders just how far things will go. Papa Lobo’s long-running feud with neighbor Mrs. Madalyn discovers she’s the only Black girl in her class, and while most of her classmates are friendly, assumptions lead to some serious storms. It’s not all rainbows and sunshine, though. Moving in with her great-uncle, Papa Lobo, and switching to a new school is just the first step. Lightning couldn’t strike twice, could it? After a terrible year, Madalyn needs clear skies desperately. Perfect for fans of A Good Kind of Trouble and From the Desk of Zoe Washington. Davis comes a nuanced exploration of the microaggressions of middle school and a young Black girl named Madalyn who learns that being a good friend means dealing with the blue skies and the rain-and having the tough conversations on days that are partly cloudy.

Happy Families by Tanita S. Davis