14 Hollow Road

A 2018 Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Title

“This gorgeous summer tale emphasizes girlhood bonds, growth in discomfort and the inevitable heartache that goes with youthful dreams meeting hard reality. This will hit the spot with fans of The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall , Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker, Water Balloon by Audrey Vernick and Gertie’s Leap to Greatness by Kate Beasley.”  —Erin E. Moulton, author of Chasing the Milky Way

“Bishop (The Distance to Home, 2016) nails the tween voice: Maddie is a realistic heroine who deals with typical middle-grade problems amidst disaster, and she navigates upheavals with occasional grace and more frequent missteps. Tornado or not, growing up is a tempestuous business.”  —Booklist

“Maddie remains sympathetic and likable even when her actions aren’t, and Kiersten, Gabby, and Avery are well-rounded characters with challenges of their own. Readers going through the messy transition into adolescence will find hope in the newly strengthened friendships with which Maddie enters seventh grade.”  —Recommended, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books [full review]

“Maddie’s awkward avoidance tactics are authentic and relatable . . . The hopeful tone and conversational writing style make this an accessible read.”  —School Library Journal

“This is a book that adults, young adults, and children should read because it truly has the potential to change your view on disasters and those affected . . . .Bishop’s vivid imagery and powerful prose transported you in Maddie’s shoes as she sees the devastation the tornado had on her home and her neighborhood, how it changed her life forever. I could truly feel the sadness that struck Maddie at various times during her summer after the tornado the night of her 6th grade dance. I was so stunned at how deep the author dug into the protagonist’s feelings and emotions and into a serious topic for middle grade readers (natural disasters).”  —LILbooKlovers [full review]

“This book is written beautifully and I will never forget it. If you are a girl who is going through middle school, I think now would be the best time to read it. You will be able to connect to this story a lot it has everything from boy drama and school dances to new friendships.”  —Xavier, 12 year old, Beautiful Book Club [full review]

“I know so many young readers who will see themselves in this book and fall into the pages.”  —Mrs. Knott’s Book Nook [full review]

“What I loved most about this book is that without being preachy, it really encourages us all to see things from another’s point of view. We tell our stories about what happened, but so often we are wrong. We’re too limited in our view (and unwilling to broaden it) to understand the truth of a situation. Often, we aren’t the only ones hurting, and those who seem to have it all, really don’t. We’re all just muddling through a difficult situation as best we can. And that difficult situation is called life.”  —Janet Sumner Johnson, author of The Last Great Adventure of the PB&J Society

“Maddie will tug at your heart, as she navigates loss, friendships, and her first crush. A wonderful read!”  —Elly Swartz, author of Finding Perfect

“Bishop deftly balances the bittersweet moments of early middle school friendships (a trio is always tricky) and first crushes, all within the framework of a family working to put their home back together (literally). This book brought back lots of memories. I have never encountered a character who so thoroughly embodied my middle school experience with boys.”  —Monica Tesler, author of the Bounders series