
By Kate Messner
A magical pencil answers questions, but reveals a family secret.
Ava Anderson stumbles upon a pencil that answers factual questions, boosting her confidence. But as the pencil shortens, it unveils a chilling truth about her family. Can Ava face life without all the answers? Discover the power and limits of knowledge in this intriguing tale.
A charming, moving, funny, and ultimately very surprising story. –Wendy Mass, New York Times bestselling author of 11 Birthdays What if your pencil had all the answers? Would you ace every test? Would you know what your teachers were thinking? When Ava Anderson finds a scratched up pencil, she doodles like she would with any other pencil. But when she writes a question in the margin of her math quiz, she hears a clear answer in a voice no one else seems to hear. With the help of her friend Sophie, Ava figures out that the pencil will answer factual questions only–those with definite right or wrong answers–but won’t predict the future. Ava and Sophie discover all kinds of uses for the pencil, and Ava’s confidence grows with each answer. But it’s getting shorter with every sharpening, and when the pencil reveals a scary truth about Ava’s family, she realizes that sometimes the bravest people are the ones who live without all the answers . . .
Surprise a reader with their next favorite book.
Spotted a mistake or something missing? Improve this page.
Are you the author or illustrator? Claim your book.