The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781534439627)

Recipient of a Batchelder Honor

Ten-year-old Mafalda hides the fact that she is going blind from her family and friends in this lyrical, bittersweet debut novel from Italian author Paola Peretti that shows you how to overcome the darkness--even when you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel.

There are a lot of things ten-year-old Mafalda cares a lot about. Like, counting the stars in the night sky, playing soccer, and climbing the cherry tree outside her school. Mafalda even goes so far as to keep a list of all these things, because soon she won't be able to do them anymore--because she's going blind.

Even with her bad eyesight Mafalda can see that people are already treating her differently--and that's the last thing she wants. So, she hides the fact that her vision is deteriorating faster than anyone predicted, and she makes a plan: When the time is right, she'll go live in the cherry tree, just like her favorite book character.

But as Mafalda loses her sight, surprising things come in to focus. With the help of her family and friends both old and new, Mafalda discovers the things that matter most.

Author: Paola Peretti
ISBN-10: 1534439625
ISBN-13: 9781534439627
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Language: English
Published: 09/03/2019
Pages: 224
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.50w x 0.90d

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.5
Point Value: 6
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 504746 / Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree

Award: Mildred L. Batchelder Award - Honor Book

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 06/15/2019
Booklist 07/01/2019 pg. 69