Blooming at the Texas Sunrise Motel

By Kimberly Willis Holt

A girl transforms a rundown motel with a garden, challenging her estranged grandfather's resistance.

4.2/5 Goodreads · 736 ratings

352 pages· 53,734 words· Est. 6 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

After losing her parents, twelve-year-old Stevie moves in with her grumpy grandfather at his dilapidated motel. Struggling to connect, she befriends quirky tenants and together they plant a garden, defying her grandfather's wishes. As flowers bloom, will Stevie's departure finally open her grandfather's eyes to the love and community she brought to their lives? Discover themes of family, loss, and finding home in this heartwarming tale.

From the publisher

Twelve-year-old Stevie attempts to brighten the lives of her cranky grandfather and the residents of his motel by planting a garden in this middle grade novel by National Book Award–winning author Kimberly Willis Holt. Stevie’s world changes drastically when her parents are tragically killed and she is forced to live with her estranged grandfather at his run-down motel. After failed attempts to connect with her grandfather, Stevie befriends the colorful motel tenants and neighbors. Together, they decide to bring some color and life to the motel by planting a flower garden, against Stevie’s grandfather’s wishes. It will take Stevie’s departure before her grandfather realizes just how needed she is by everyone. Blooming at the Texas Sunrise Motel explores themes of loss, family, and love, and gets at the heart of what it means to find a place to call home. A Christy Ottaviano Book “Endearing and imperfect, Stevie establishes immediate rapport with readers.” —Kirkus Reviews More from Kimberly Willis Holt: Skinny Brown Dog Dear Hank Williams Dinner with the Highbrows The Water Seeker Keeper of the Night When Zachary Beaver Came to Town The Piper Reed series: Piper Reed, Navy Brat Piper Reed, Clubhouse Queen Piper Reed Gets a Job Piper Reed, Party Planner Piper Reed, Campfire Girl Piper Reed, Rodeo Star Piper Reed, Forever Friend

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