{"product_id":"blue-skies-9781534446069","title":"Blue Skies","description":"\u003cb\u003eFor fans of Kate DiCamillo's \u003ci\u003eLouisiana's Way Home\u003c\/i\u003e, this heartwarming novel tells the story of ten-year-old Glory Bea as she prepares for a miracle of her very own--her father's return home.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eGlory Bea Bennett knows that miracles happen in Gladiola, Texas, population 3,421. After all, her grandmother--the best matchmaker in the whole county--is responsible for thirty-nine of them. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eNow, Glory Bea needs a miracle of her own. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe war ended three years ago, but Glory Bea's father never returned home from the front in France. Glory Bea understands what Mama and Grams and Grandpa say--that Daddy died a hero on Omaha Beach--yet deep down in her heart, she believes Daddy is still out there. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eWhen the \u003ci\u003eGladiola Gazette \u003c\/i\u003ereports that one of the boxcars from the Merci Train (the \"thank you\" train)--a train filled with gifts of gratitude from the people of France--will be stopping in Gladiola, she just knows daddy will be its surprise cargo. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBut miracles, like people, are always changing, until at last they find their way home.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAnne S. Bustard is the former co-owner of Toad Hall Children's Bookstore and an MFA graduate from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is the author of the middle grade novels \u003ci\u003eAnywhere But Paradise\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003e Blue Skies\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eFar Out!\u003c\/i\u003e, as well as two picture books: \u003ci\u003eRad!\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eBuddy: The Story of Buddy Holly\u003c\/i\u003e, which was an IRA Children's Book Award Notable and a Bank Street Book of the Year.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Simon \u0026 Schuster Books for Young Readers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50351908192530,"sku":"9781534446069","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_ffeb5709-f925-4a87-b312-3532d44a3e7e.jpg?v=1737067017","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/blue-skies-9781534446069","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}