Give and Take

By Elly Swartz

A girl struggles with loss and hoarding as her family fosters a baby.

4.2/5 Goodreads · 556 ratings

320 pages

$7.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Twelve-year-old Maggie, a dedicated trapshooter, faces a whirlwind of emotions after her grandmother's death. As she fills the void with hoarded items, her family welcomes a foster baby, intensifying her anxiety. Maggie's world spirals as she clings to everything, fearing more loss. Can she learn to let go and embrace change, or will her fears consume her? With the support of family and friends, Maggie embarks on a journey to discover that true love sometimes means releasing what you hold dear. Dive into a heartfelt story of growth, resilience, and the power of letting go.

From the publisher

Elly Swartz’s Give and Take is a touching middle grade novel about family, friendship, and learning when to let go. Family has always been important to twelve-year-old Maggie: a trapshooter, she is coached by her dad and cheered on by her mom. But her grandmother’s recent death leaves a giant hole in Maggie’s life, one which she begins to fill with an assortment of things: candy wrappers, pieces of tassel from Nana’s favorite scarf, milk cartons, sticks . . . all stuffed in cardboard boxes under her bed. Then her parents decide to take in a foster infant. But anxiety over the new baby’s departure only worsens Maggie’s hoarding, and soon she finds herself taking and taking until she spirals out of control. Ultimately, with some help from family, friends, and experts, Maggie learns that sometimes love means letting go. This title has Common Core connections.

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