11 Birthdays

Turning eleven is normally something to beexcited about. And, normally, Amanda would be,except that her mom just lost her job; her oldersister Kylie is impossible; her best friend hasdecided that trying out for the gymnastics teamwill pave their way to popularity (even thoughAmanda canÂ’t do a back handspring to save herlife); and her other best friend (well, ex-bestfriend) Leo, with whom she shares a birthday, ishaving a separate birthday party this year for thefirst time since, well, forever.When Amanda wakes up the day after herbirthday, glad to have it behind her, she canÂ’tunderstand why her mom and dad are singingÂHappy Birthday” to her. She thinks itÂ’s a joke. Oris it? Only time, friendship, and the

Wendy Mass is the author of the award-winning books for readers A MANGO-SHAPED SPACE, LEAP DAY, JEREMY FINK AND THE MEANING OF LIFE, HEAVEN LOOKS A LOT LIKE THE MALL, EVERY SOUL A STAR, THE CANDYMAKERS, 11 BIRTHDAYS, FINALLY, and the Twice Upon a Time series. She tells people her hobbies are photography and hiking, but they're really collecting candy bar wrappers and searching for buried treasure with her metal detector. Wendy lives with her family in New Jersey. Visit her at www.wendymass.com.