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Gem & Dixie

Gem took care of her younger sister Dixie all the time back when their parents were addicts, but once Dixie started high school she stopped idolizing Gem. Dixie makes friends easily, whereas Gem is lonely, an outcast. Although their mom got sober and kicked their dad out years ago, she struggles to pay the rent and buy food, and sometimes slips back into dangerous habits, oblivious to her daughters’ physical and emotional needs. When the girls’ dad shows up out of the blue with money to burn, Dixie is thrilled, Gem suspicious, their mom furious. She dumps out all the food he buys, appalling Gem, who is often hungry, and tells him to go. He leaves behind a hidden backpack full of money that Gem finds under a bed. Gem sees it as a chance for her and Dixie to leave. For Dixie, their journey is an adventure. For Gem, it’s survival. On the road, and on the run from their dad’s ever-more-urgent messages demanding the money, Gem and Dixie are often at odds, but also gradually finding their way back to a small bit of common ground. Running away gives Gem the space to understand and the courage to seek out what she needs, which turns out to be far different than what Dixie needs. Gem’s determination, a well-meaning if fallible guidance counselor, and the kindness of strangers are threads of genuine hope leaving a lasting impression in a story that doesn’t minimize poverty or despair. ©2017 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

CCBC Age Recommendation: Age 12 and older
Age Range: Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13) Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Format: Novel
Subjects: Child Abuse Drugs and Alcohol Economic Hardship and Poverty Responsibility Sisters Survival

Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publish Year: 2017
Pages: 282
ISBN: 9780062434593

CCBC Location: Fiction, Zarr

Gem & Dixie