The Thing About Leftovers [Paperback]

With the humor and poignancy of Joan Bauer and Lynda Mullaly Hunt, this story reminds readers that they have a right to a voice, that it's okay to say how you feel, and that some leftovers are absolutely delicious!
 
Fizzy is a good Southern girl who just wants to be perfect. And win theSouthern Livingcook-off.The being perfect part is hard though, since her parents’ divorced and everything in her life has changed. Wary of her too-perfect stepmom and her mom’s neat-freak, dismissive boyfriend, she’s often angry or upset and feels like a guest in both homes. She tells herself to face facts: She’s a “leftover” kid from a marriage that her parents want to forget. But she has to keep all of that to herself, because a good Southern girl never yells, or throws fits, or says anything that might hurt other people’s feelings—instead she throws her shoulders back, says yes ma’am, and tries to do better. So Fizzy tries her best, but it’s hard to stay quiet when her family keeps getting more complicated. Fortunately, theSouthern Livingcook-off gives her a welcome distraction, as do her new friends Miyoko and Zach, who have parent issues of their own.Praise for The Thing About Leftovers:

“Fizzy’s first-person narration is by turns hilarious and poignant as she struggles to find her voice . . . The subjects of divorce and middle school drama are well handled. Tween readers will appreciate this gentle read as they empathize with Fizzy’s feelings of inadequacy and root for her success.”—School Library Journal

“Payne provides plenty of realistic detail here about Fizzy's slowly evolving relationships with her parents, stepparents, and new friends . . . Her growth feels authentic and her progress well-earned. Readers experiencing family challenges of their own will laugl³