Close to Famous book cover
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Close to Famous

By Joan Bauer

A novel full of heart, humor, and charm from Newbery Honor winner Joan Bauer!

When twelve-year-old Foster and her mother land in the tiny town of Culpepper, they don’t know what to expect. But folks quickly warm to the woman with the great voice and the girl who can bake like nobody’s business. Soon Foster – who dreams of having her own cooking show one day – lands herself a gig baking for the local coffee shop, and gets herself some much-needed help in overcoming her biggest challenge – learning to read . . . just as Foster and Mama start to feel at ease, their past catches up to them. Thanks to the folks in Culpepper, though Foster and her mama find the strength to put their troubles behind them for good.

Educator Resources

  • Close to Famous Discussion Guide

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State Awards

Recommended reading lists from your state's teacher or librarian associations!
  • Illinois
    • Chicago Public School Battle of the Books, 2014
    • Illinois Children's Choice Award, 2012-2013
    • Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award, 2013-2014
  • Indiana
    • Young Hoosier Book Award, 2012-2013
  • Missouri
    • (MASL) Readers Award, 2012-2013
    • (MASL) Mark Twain Award, 2013-2014
  • Pennsylvania
    • Pennsylvania School Librarians Association Award, 2012-2013
  • Vermont
    • Dorothy Canfield Fischer Children's Book Award, 2012-2013
  • Iowa
    • Iowa Association Awards, 2013-2014
  • Louisiana
    • Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award, 2013-2014
  • Minnesota
    • Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award, 2013-2014
  • Oklahoma
    • Sequoyah Book Awards, 2013-2014
  • South Carolina
    • South Carolina Book Awards, 2013-2014
  • Kansas
    • William Allen White Children's Book Award, 2013-2014

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