Georgia Rules

A Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Book of the Year Perfect for fans of One for the Murphys and The Penderwicks, this poignant and moving middle grade novel tells the story of a girl who moves to a new town and meets an unforgettable family—one that will change her and her mother’s lives forever. Magnolia Grace never wanted to leave Georgia. She never wanted to move with her mama to the farm her daddy owned before he died. But now here she is, in a tiny Vermont town where everybody sings the praises of the father Maggie never knew. Then Maggie meets the Parker family—two moms, six kids, plus a pony. The Parkers are loud and wild, ask lots of questions, and don't follow any of the rules Maggie grew up with in Georgia. Suddenly Maggie has questions too—questions about her father, and why Mama kept him away for so long. In her search for answers, Maggie will learn that families are like patchwork quilts, sewn together by love, and all the more beautiful for their different colors. A new town. A family she never knew she needed. A Heartfelt Story of Grief and Loss: Maggie arrives in Vermont resentful of the father she never knew, only to discover his memory lives on in the small town he loved. Two Moms and a Big, Loud Family: For a girl used to Georgia rules, the chaotic and loving Parker family—with two moms and six kids—is a world away from everything she’s ever known. A Complicated Mother-Daughter Relationship: As Maggie uncovers the truth about her past, she must also navigate the tricky relationship with a mother who is hiding secrets of her own. A Perfect Coming-of-Age Story: A moving novel about finding your place, understanding where you come from, and learning that the best families are the ones we piece together ourselves.