Synopsis

Based on a true story.

Maddie is a normal twelve-year-old girl. Well, except for the fake mustaches she carries in her pocket. She likes to make people laugh and slapping on a mustache, especially a fuzzy pink or neon green one, always gets a smile. Maddie hopes that the class queen, Cassie, will find her mustaches as funny as she does and want to play with her at recess. She’s been self-conscious lately because her right arm only feels normal when it’s curled against her chest and she’s constantly tripping over her feet. But that’s probably just part of growing up and not something weird, right?

When Maddie’s arm continues to bother her, her parents take her to a doctor who gives them a shocking diagnosis: the cause of the abnormal behavior of her limbs is a brain tumor and she must have surgery to remove it. She’s understandably afraid as he describes the procedure, but knows she must find a way to be brave and must face her fears–all of them–at the hospital, at home and at school.

She will need all of her courage not only to face her illness, but also to face Cassie at school. Both Cassie and Maddie are auditioning for the same role in the school play, but when Cassie accuses Maddie of lying about her tumor in order to get attention, Cassie’s bossiness turns into bullying.

And as Maddie’s surgery approaches, she begins to worry more and more about the outcome. What if something goes wrong? What if the doctors don’t get all the tumor out of her brain? What will happen to her family? What will happen to her?

It will take all of Maddie’s vibrant imagination, a lot of kindness-both given and received-and of course, the perfect mustache to overcome the tough stuff ahead of her.

Mustaches for Maddie is the feature title in our “Compassion in Action” campaign! Stickers, postcards, and a readers guide. This campaign is a great way to teach children the importance of showing compassion.

Take a look at the readers guide

Review

This was quite the book to demonstrate the need for compassion. We never know what someone might be going through in their lives and perhaps their actions are a self defense mechanism to protect their feelings.

While this book is a middle grade book, I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult. The themes cross all age lines and considering what we hear in the news at times about kids being mean to each other, this book is very appropriate. It could also open some dialogue between kids and parents on various topics from bullies to health issues.

This is based on a true story and my heart went out to Maddie (or any child) that has to endure any sort of tough medical treatments. No one should have to go through that. I did like how the parents were not afraid to let Maddie know they were praying for her and it actually made Maddie more at peace with the situation.

Maddie used humor to diffuse any situations where she felt nervous. She also liberally used mustaches to help ease any tensions in tough situation. I can just imagine how funny everyone looked that put on one of these mustaches because of the various colors, textures and styles.

Excellent book!  We give it 5 paws up.

About the Authors

About Mr. Morris

Author of the Cragbridge Hall trilogy; The Inventor’s Secret, The Avatar Battle, and The Impossible Race. Published by Shadow Mountain.

Bald.

About Ms. Brown

A native to the ocean, transplanted into the shadow of the mountains, Small Town Shelly Brown found that if she could not surf or comb the tide pools she would write in the shade.

Mother to many, cleaner of little, friend to the United Way, this actor turned writer has decided that she is addicted to information. Please, arrange an intervention.

Website * Craig’s Twitter * Shelly’s Twitter

Giveaway

I am giving away the ARC that I was sent to review this book plus some Compassion in Action stickers and postcards tied to the theme of the book.

a Rafflecopter giveaway