{"product_id":"the-pinballs-9780064401982","title":"The Pinballs","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Newbery-winning author Betsy Byars comes a story full of \"poignancy, perception, and humor\" (\u003cem\u003eThe Chicago Tribune), \u003c\/em\u003e about three foster kids who learn what it takes to make a family. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou can't always decide where life will take you--especially when you're a kid.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCarlie knows she's got no say in what happens to her. Stuck in a foster home with two other kids, Harvey and Thomas J, she's just a pinball being bounced from bumper to bumper. As soon as you get settled, somebody puts another coin in the machine and off you go again.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBut against her will and her better judgment, Carlie and the boys become friends. And all three of them start to see that they can take control of their own lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eByars, Betsy:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Betsy Byars is a widely read and loved author of many award-winning middle-grade books for children, including \u003cem\u003eSummer Of The Swans\u003c\/em\u003e (Viking), a 1971 Newbery Medal winner. \u003cem\u003eThe Pinballs\u003c\/em\u003e was an ALA Notable Children's Book in 1977 as well as the basis for an ABC \u003cem\u003eAfterschool Special\u003c\/em\u003e. Other books she has written for HarperCollins are \u003cem\u003eGood-bye, Chicken Little; The Seven Treasure Hunts\u003c\/em\u003e, illustrated by Jennifer Barrett; and three I Can Read Books, the popular \u003cem\u003eThe Golly Sisters Go West, Hooray For The Golly Sisters!, and The Golly Sisters Ride Again\u003c\/em\u003e, all illustrated by Sue Truesdell. Ms. Byars lives in Clemson, South Carolina, with her husband.\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eByars, Betsy Cromer:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBetsy Byars\u003c\/strong\u003e is the author of many award-winning books for children, including \u003cem\u003eThe Summer of the Swans\u003c\/em\u003e, a Newbery Medal winner. \u003cem\u003eThe Pinballs \u003c\/em\u003ewas an ALA Notable Book. She is also the author of \u003cem\u003eGoodbye, Chicken Little\u003c\/em\u003e; \u003cem\u003eThe Two-Thousand-Pound Goldfish\u003c\/em\u003e; and the popular Golly Sisters trilogy.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50727757938962,"sku":"9780064401982","price":6.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_8f77032f-2cd9-4663-85c9-97751f919933.jpg?v=1734921225","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-pinballs-9780064401982","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}