It all begins when Rocky follows Mick Strum around town while he sketches its people, animals and graveyard. Mick has been commissioned by Rocky's Kansas town to create a memorial to their war dead.



As Rocky learns to respect Mick and his talents, he helps her to develop her own artistic sensibilities.



But the townspeople see things in Mick's drawings that they don't want to know or accept about themselves. Can Mick help them accept one monument that will be meaningful to everyone?
© Tim Keating
Gary Paulsen is the distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people, including three Newbery Honor books: The Winter Room, Hatchet, and Dogsong. He won the Margaret A. Edwards Award given by the American Library Association for his lifetime achievement in young adult literature. Among his Random House books are Road Trip (written with his son, Jim Paulsen); Family Ties; Vote; Crush; Flat Broke; Liar, Liar; Paintings from the Cave; Woods Runner; Masters of Disaster; Lawn Boy; Notes from the Dog; The Amazing Life of Birds; Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day; How Angel Peterson Got His Name; Guts; and five books about Francis Tucket's adventures in the Old West. Gary Paulsen has also published fiction and nonfiction for adults. He divides his time between his home in Alaska, his ranch in New Mexico, and his sailboat on the Pacific Ocean. View titles by Gary Paulsen
  • WINNER | 1993
    Texas Lone Star Reading List
"A powerful, affecting story with its comments on art and homage."
--School Library Journal, Starred

"An intriguing, ironic tale, written vividly and with memorable humor."
--Kirkus Reviews

"In sparse, sensitive, moving prose, Paulsen illuminates a small town and its inhabitants' beautiful and ugly sides to create a tribute to art...a wonderful book that will make you feel special."
--Voice of Youth Advocates

About

It all begins when Rocky follows Mick Strum around town while he sketches its people, animals and graveyard. Mick has been commissioned by Rocky's Kansas town to create a memorial to their war dead.



As Rocky learns to respect Mick and his talents, he helps her to develop her own artistic sensibilities.



But the townspeople see things in Mick's drawings that they don't want to know or accept about themselves. Can Mick help them accept one monument that will be meaningful to everyone?

Author

© Tim Keating
Gary Paulsen is the distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people, including three Newbery Honor books: The Winter Room, Hatchet, and Dogsong. He won the Margaret A. Edwards Award given by the American Library Association for his lifetime achievement in young adult literature. Among his Random House books are Road Trip (written with his son, Jim Paulsen); Family Ties; Vote; Crush; Flat Broke; Liar, Liar; Paintings from the Cave; Woods Runner; Masters of Disaster; Lawn Boy; Notes from the Dog; The Amazing Life of Birds; Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day; How Angel Peterson Got His Name; Guts; and five books about Francis Tucket's adventures in the Old West. Gary Paulsen has also published fiction and nonfiction for adults. He divides his time between his home in Alaska, his ranch in New Mexico, and his sailboat on the Pacific Ocean. View titles by Gary Paulsen

Awards

  • WINNER | 1993
    Texas Lone Star Reading List

Praise

"A powerful, affecting story with its comments on art and homage."
--School Library Journal, Starred

"An intriguing, ironic tale, written vividly and with memorable humor."
--Kirkus Reviews

"In sparse, sensitive, moving prose, Paulsen illuminates a small town and its inhabitants' beautiful and ugly sides to create a tribute to art...a wonderful book that will make you feel special."
--Voice of Youth Advocates

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