Beginners Welcome
Beginners Welcome by Cindy Baldwin, published by HarperCollins Publishers on March 23, 2021, is a reprint edition comprising 352 pages in English. This story explores the journey of Annie Lee, who grapples with the loss of her father while navigating the complexities of friendship and healing. As she encounters reminders of her father in her daily life, Annie Lee feels isolated, especially after her friends abandon her. However, her life takes a turn when she meets Mitch, who may also be in need of companionship.
Readers will find a narrative that delves into themes of family, loss, and the importance of connection. As Annie Lee develops her friendship with Mitch, she also engages with Ray, an elderly pianist who offers her piano lessons that become a source of comfort. The story captures the challenges of opening up to others after experiencing grief, as Annie Lee must decide whether to embrace new relationships or retreat into solitude. This edition presents a heartfelt exploration of social topics relevant to juvenile fiction, making it a poignant read for those interested in stories about resilience and friendship.
Official synopsis Publisher
The acclaimed author of Where the Watermelons Grow is back with a story perfect for fans of Lynda Mullaly Hunt and Ali Benjamin, about finding friendship after a tragic loss.
It’s been eighty-three days since Annie Lee’s daddy died, but she still sees reminders of him everywhere. His record player mysteriously plays his favorite songs, there’s shaving cream in the sink every morning, and the TV keeps flipping to the Duke basketball games he loved.
She knows Mama notices it too, but Mama’s been working around the clock to make ends meet. To make matters worse, Annie Lee’s friends ditched her over the summer. She feels completely alone–until she meets Mitch.
Though Mitch is tough and confident on the outside, she may need a friend just as badly as Annie Lee. But after losing so much, Annie Lee is afraid to let anyone get too close.
And Mitch isn’t the only friend trying to break through Annie Lee’s defenses. Ray, an elderly pianist who plays at a local mall, has been giving her piano lessons. His music is pure magic, and Annie Lee hopes it might be the key to healing her broken heart. But when Ray goes missing, searching for him means breaking a promise to Mitch.
Faced with once again losing those who mean the most to her, Annie Lee must make a choice: retreat back into her shell, or risk admitting how much she needs Mitch and Ray–even if it means getting hurt all over again.
Just like in her debut, Where the Watermelons Grow, Cindy Baldwin brings her signature twist of magic to this authentically heartfelt story.
A Whitney Award finalist
An AML Award finalist
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