Isabel and the Miracle Baby

by Emily Smith Pearce

After Mama's battle with breast cancer, Isabel must forge a new relationship with her family. Isabel's baby sister Rebekah is getting all of the attention lately, and Isabel is tired of it. She's... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1932425446
• ISBN13: 9781932425444
• Release Date: September 2007
• Publisher: Front Street
• Length: 125 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.8" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 9 to 11 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 6

Customer Reviews

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Why did Isabel's whole world have to change just because her mama decided to have a baby? It's good that Mama's not sick anymore, but now that the baby performed a miracle and cured Mama's cancer, can't it just go away and leave things the way they were before? When Mama used to pay attention to Isabel, and Daddy used to tell her stories of Clyde the frog? Now, Daddy's hardly ever home because he has to work a new job. Isabel is stuck with Mama and the stinky, noisy baby in a different house and a different school where Isabel has no friends except Tara, from next door. Now Mama won't even let her play with Tara! It's not fair. Nothing is ever fair anymore in Isabel's world, and it's all because of that stupid baby! The spirited Isabel deals with real-world problems in this well-written story of survival in the third grade. From jealousy of a new sibling and fear of the return of her mother's cancer to navigating the treacherous world of playground rules and mean kids, this book will resonate with its young readers. Pearce displays strong writing and the ability to create relatable characters and issues. A breakout first novel! Reviewed by: Julie M. Prince

Wonderful, heart-warming story

I highly recommend this wonderful book. The writing is clean, fresh and precise. The story is simple and sweet. It is an excellent book for a young girl to read. It rings clearly with truth and hope. It ends well, but not simplistically. I loved this book.

Inside an eight-year-old mind

Eight-year-old Isabel has plenty on her mind. Why doesn't Mama like her new friend Tara? Why does she say Tara is a "bad influence?" Why does Mama spend so much time with those "sick ladies"? Mama isn't sick any more, so why do these ladies keep coming to their house? Most of all, why does Mama spend all her time with Rebekah, the new baby? Why does Mama call Rebekah her "miracle baby" just because she had her after she had cancer? Where does Isabel fit into this new, confusing family situation? What can she do when so many things are out of her control? With a graceful wit and style that never for a moment condescends, Emily Smith Pearce draws us into Isabel's confusing and chaotic world, where the tenor the day may rest on whether or not your best friend waves to you at recess, or "the pink-and-purple-girls" make fun of your decidely un-cool clothes. Pearce's prose is at once delicate and literary, yet totally accesible to the eight-year-old reader. This is children's literature at its finest.