Skip to Main Content

About The Book

Since the day Emerson Pressman and her mother were diagnosed as HIV positive, nothing has been the same. When her mother dies of AIDS, Emmy has to go live with the father and stepmother she barely knows, and she feels more alone than ever. Now she has to take pills by herself, and there is no one left who understands what it's like to be afraid every time she has a cold. But when her father decides to send her to Camp Positive, a camp for HIV-positive children, Emmy begins to realize that she's not alone after all, and that sometimes, opening up to other people can make all the difference in the world.

About The Author

Photograph by Jennifer E. Daly

Courtney Sheinmel is a chocolate-lover, mac and cheese expert, mom to Archer, and the author of nearly thirty books for kids and teens, including the acclaimed Stella Batts and My Pet Slime series for young readers. Her book She Persisted: Helen Keller was part of Chelsea Clinton’s She Persisted series. Courtney received a National Scholastic Educator Award for her work as a writing instructor at the nonprofit Writopia Lab. Visit her online at CourtneySheinmel.com.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (September 15, 2009)
  • Length: 224 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781416996774
  • Grades: 4 - 9
  • Ages: 9 - 14
  • Lexile ® 670 The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

Browse Related Books

Awards and Honors

  • CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book
  • NYPL Best Books for Teens
  • Oklahoma Book Award

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Courtney Sheinmel