Eleven and Holding

Macy Hollinquest is eleven years old, and don’t count on her to change that anytime soon. Her birthday is just days away, but she has no intention of turning twelve without her dad by her side. He’d promised to be there for her big day, and yet he’s been gone for months—away after his discharge from the army, doing some kind of top secret, “important work.” So Macy’s staying eleven, no matter what—that is, until she meets Ginger, a nice older lady who is searching for her missing dog. Ginger’s dog search is the perfect cover for Macy’s attempt to locate her dad. But her hunt puts her on a path to a head-on collision with the truth, where she discovers that knowing can sometimes be a heavy burden. And that change, when finally accepted, comes with an unexpected kind of grace. Mary Penney’s earnest, heartfelt story of change, loss, and new beginnings will resonate with young readers on the cusp of new beginnings, and stay in their hearts long after it’s done. This unforgettable middle grade novel is a story of fierce loyalty, big secrets, and the courage it takes to grow up. Father-Daughter Relationship: Macy believes her dad is her hero and will do anything to bring him home for her twelfth birthday, even if it means staying eleven forever. An Unlikely Friendship: To find her dad, Macy teams up with an elderly woman named Ginger, whose own search for a lost dog is more complicated than it seems. The Power of Best Friends: With her best friend Twee by her side, Macy navigates the anxieties of a long summer and the terrifying prospect of starting middle school alone. A Story for Military Families: A tender and honest look at the challenges a family faces when a soldier returns home, and the hidden wounds of service.