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Laura Anne Bird
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Crossing the Pressure Line Paperback – March 1, 2022

by Laura Anne Bird (Author)
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 72 ratings
Teachers' pick
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Honorable Mention for the Tofte/Wright Children’s Book Award of Wisconsin
Silver Finalist in Children’s Fiction for the Midwest Book Awards
Silver Winner in Young Reader Fiction for the Independent Book Publishers Association Benjamin Franklin Awards

Twelve-year-old Clare Burch has just lost the person she loves most in the world. She wonders if her feelings of sorrow and self-blame over her grandfather's death will ever go away.

Out of the blue, a special request sends Clare on a journey from her home in Chicago to the Northwoods of Wisconsin. She knows that she must honor Grandpa Anthony's last wishes, even though they completely upend her summertime plans.

Clare heads to rural Alwyn with her little blind dog and a duffel bag full of worries. What will she do without her best friends and swim team? Who will take her fishing and spoil her with candy now that her grandfather is gone? And most important, is she strong enough to let him go, forever?

During her summer up north, Clare stumbles upon the answers to her many questions. Even more, as she makes peace with why she couldn't save Grandpa Anthony, she ends up rescuing someone else from danger.

Above all, Clare learns to listen to the courageous voice inside—and discovers just how tough she really is.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    8 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    254 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    4 - 6
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 0.58 x 8 inches
  6. Publication date
    March 1, 2022
  7. ISBN-10
    1645382834
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1645382836
  9. See all details
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New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade. New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Clare, nearly 13 years old, struggles to cope with the recent death of her favorite person, grandpa Anthony. Clare blames herself for not reacting quickly enough when he had a heart attack in her presence, a burden she's been carrying around for months. Grandpa's dying wish was that Clare, her mother, and her grandmother spend an entire summer together at the family's cabin in the Northwoods of Wisconsin-a thinly veiled attempt to bring the three women closer together. As they shed the stresses of life in suburban Chicago and begin to relax and enjoy themselves ("­crossing the pressure line," as Grandpa used to say), the three bond by finding common ground and unearthing sides of themselves not usually seen. Bird deposits readers right in the heart of the Northwoods, convincingly showing how Clare and her family can easily unwind in the picturesque setting, populated with down-to-earth people who enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. Clare is an extremely precocious narrator, and her inner-voice-as well as her dialogue-doesn't always sound realistic for a young teenager. But that is easy for readers to overcome, as Clare's optimism and enthusiasm for the people and world around her are infectious. All main characters are cued as white; secondary characters are Asian, African American, and Latina. VERDICT Recommended, especially for younger readers of middle-grade realistic fiction and fans of classic books like Kate DiCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie.-­Melissa Kazanα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

A young girl finds purpose in life after losing a loved one in Bird's debut middle-grade novel... Bird craftily balances the family's story with beautiful descriptions of Wisconsin landscapes while focusing on Clare's emotions and realizations as she learns to believe in herself and to accept the loss of a loved one. The characters are relatable and sometimes quite funny, and Clare's ruminations are thoughtful yet appropriate for a girl her age... An evocative story about recovering from grief for readers of any age.
Kirkus Reviews

Healing and self-realization come from unexpected places in Bird's outstanding debut middle grade novel... Bird paints a vivid and profound picture of Clare's loss and lingering grief after she loses her grandfather, and she's equally compelling at portraying Clare's journey thereafter that challenges her to find her inner strength and voice. Along the way, she celebrates the kindness of the tight-knit community of Wisconsin, with the richness of its small-town culture and resilient spirit. Both a poignant exploration of the tough reality of recovering from loss and an inspiring journey of self-discovery, the novel makes for a must read.
The Prairies Book Review

Laura Anne Bird gives middle grade readers a multifaceted story that examines a feisty young girl's upward momentum as she works through her grief and faces new tests and opportunities during a summer that changes everything... This realistic account of loss and adjustments stands head and shoulders above most middle grade stories of family grief. It recounts not just Clare's adaptations and challenges, but those of her family, as everyone makes different, new decisions for their futures.
Midwest Book Review, D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Orange Hat Publishing (March 1, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 254 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1645382834
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1645382836
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 4 - 6
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.58 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars 72 ratings

About the author

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Laura Anne Bird

Laura Anne Bird

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A Milwaukee native, Laura graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in English. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin with her husband, three teenagers, and little blind dachshund (who inspired her character of Roger!).

When she’s not reading, writing, or reviewing books, Laura loves to exercise and explore the outdoors. Crossing the Pressure Line is her first novel. You can find her on Instagram @laura_at_the_library or at www.laurabirdbooks.com.

Customer reviews

5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5
72 global ratings
Must read! Inspiring story!
5 Stars
Must read! Inspiring story!
I’m buying a copy for every preteen teenager I know! Such a great read with an amazing message.
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Top reviews from the United States

The Ghosts of Italy
5.0 out of 5 stars Laura Anne Bird has written an adventurous middle-grade story for all ages.
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2024
Verified Purchase
'This book feels like a good friend...' -- Friend, and fellow book lover, reader, and author, Laura Anne Bird has written a lovely adventurous middle-grade story for all ages. A love letter to the northcountry and Clare, the young girl in all of us who raises herself to tackle anything. I love this book.
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Gail
5.0 out of 5 stars A coming of age story
Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2023
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Purchased as a gift for our granddaughter after it was read during the summer by our family.
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Stacey
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved the sweet story!
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
This story beautifully captured the love between grandparents & grandchildren.

Clare has set big goals for her summer in the north woods. As she sets out to meet them, she learns a lot about resilience, letting go, forgiveness, & adapting to new realities.

You’ll be rooting for Clare, Helen (her mom), & Grandma Lulu as they learn to navigate life without their compass, their beloved husband, father, Grandpa Anthony.
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Tricia R.
5.0 out of 5 stars You'll be drawn quickly into the heart and mind of 13 yr old Clare on her Wisconsin vacation.
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is a very touching book with many stories within the main story. Laura Bird captures how young Clare navigates her many relationships with people of all ages. Her love for and sadness missing her grandfather is quite powerful. Family ties and traditions, the importance of friendships and sports, the comfort of pets, and how peace can be found in nature... That's a lot to pack in one book! I have very little experience with middle-grade literature, but I think this will hit many high notes with both girls and boys.
One person found this helpful
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Annie Long Sullivan
5.0 out of 5 stars For fearless girls!
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2022
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If you have a fearless girl in your life, or if you are a fearless girl yourself, please go read this book. I fell in love with plucky Clare Burch and rooted for her as she learned to listen to the courageous voice inside -- and discovered just how tough she really is.
One person found this helpful
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Jennifer
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing read!
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2022
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I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The author captured the reader by giving you characters you can relate to and can see yourself in. Would highly recommend if you are a teacher of middle school kids. You can use this book to support lots of different topics.
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km
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book!!!
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
Beautiful book about the challenges life brings all of us. Bought it for my 11 year old daughter, but I read it first, and loved it! Excited for her to read it next. So well written, will highly recommend it to friends, especially those with pre-teen daughters!
2 people found this helpful
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Susy Porter
5.0 out of 5 stars Learning to listen to your courageous voice inside
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2022
Verified Purchase
This is a heartwarming story about Clare Burch, a charming, grieving, worried preteen girl who learns that courageous girls set fierce goals for themselves. Clare navigates her challenges during the summer in Northern Wisconsin and really finds her voice. It is truly a lovely story!
2 people found this helpful
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