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The Strange Night Writing of Jessamine Colter

About The Book

When a young girl takes an interest in the talents of her small town’s elderly calligrapher, Jessie, the two discover a gift that teaches them a painful lesson about averting fate.

When eleven-year-old Callie Williams befriends Jessamine Colter, an elderly calligrapher, Callie becomes interested in her “fancy writing” and begins to learn about Jessie’s life as she’s spent nearly fifty years being the record keeper of their small town. Using her elegant calligraphy to provide church posters, restaurant menus, school diplomas and notices of births, marriages, and deaths, Jessie has had magical hands her whole life.

But when the pair discovers that they share a powerful gift that lets them see into the future by writing about events before they happen, Callie and Jessie begin to discover the pleasure and heartache that comes with rearranging fate.

About The Author

Cynthia De Felice is the author of many bestselling titles for young readers, including the novels Wild LifeThe Ghost of Cutler CreekSignal, and The Missing Manatee, as well as the picture books, One Potato, Two Potato, and Casey in the Bath. Her books have been nominated for an Edgar Allan Poe Award and listed as American Library Association Notable Children's Books and Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, among numerous other honors. 

Product Details

  • Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (June 9, 2008)
  • Length: 56 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781416979081
  • Grades: 5 - 9
  • Ages: 10 - 14

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Awards and Honors

  • Notable Children's Trade Book Language (AR)
  • ILA Young Adults' Choices

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More books from this author: Cynthia De felice