More praise for How to Disappear Completely
"Seamlessly blending childhood wonder with the slow lessons of maturity...This tale succeeds in celebrating curiosity, thoughtfulness, and collaboration."
- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
"A successful blend of mystery and friendship drama… this gentle, contemporary title is sure to strike a chord."
- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
“How to Disappear Completely is brilliant and compelling. It explores so many themes with thought and care, including fairy tales, imagination, family, and coming of age. But its greatest strength is its deep compassion. I am a better, more understanding person after reading this book—and that’s the true magic.”
-TAE KELLER, NEWBERY AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR
“Ali Standish brilliantly mixes past, present, and fantasy into a wondrous exploration of self-identity, confidence, friendship, and family. I didn’t want to leave the world of this book behind!”
-JEN PETRO-ROY, AUTHOR OF GOOD ENOUGH AND P.S. I MISS YOU
"I'd rather have my old skin back. But that's the thing... I don't really get to choose."
While her beloved grandmother was alive, Emma’s world was filled with enchantment. But now Gram is gone, and all that’s left of her are the fairy tales she and Emma took turns writing in a secret journal.
To make things worse, strange pale spots are appearing on Emma’s skin. Soon she is diagnosed with vitiligo—a condition that makes patches of her skin lose their color— and the magic in her world is suddenly replaced with school bullies and doctor appointments.
Then, when Emma begins one last story in the journal, something very strange happens: someone writes back to her, just like Gram used to. Who’s writing to Emma? And just what is her story going to be now that everything is so different?
Award-winning author Ali Standish explores the ways life transforms us, and how we learn to let go of what we must, while still holding fast to who we are.
