Harvey and the Extraordinary

If you were to imagine an extraordinary moment of destiny, I bet you wouldn't imagine it in a kitchen on a particularly ordinary Wednesday. I bet you wouldn't imagine a plate of cheese and crackers or a replacement best friendbut this was my moment. Because when my Dad left to be a trick high diver in Mr. Morelli's Big Top Circus Extravaganza, he left his ordinary life to achieve his extraordinary destiny. Grandma didn't realize she had just handed me the key to my extraordinary life.

Mimi is the expert in all things extraordinary, like snow days, blue raspberry candy, and especially her dad, who recently joined the circus. And she's sure he'll be back to recruit her once she proves how extraordinary she can be. With her new hamster as her assistant, Mimi starts rehearsals for a marvelous mime show. But her moody older brother and needy ex-best-friendnot to mention memories of the day her dad left homekeep interfering with her plans.

Still, Mimi throws herself into her act. Everything has to be perfect for her dad's return even if no one but her hamster believes in her. Even if Mimi is starting to doubt her own story, too.

Debut author Eliza Martin's quirky characters are brought vividly to life by Anna Bron's endearing art in this charming novel about savouring the extraordinary in even the most difficult moments. (From Annick Press)

Eliza Martin is a writer, theatre artist, and arts educator. She works with children and youth in Toronto, Ontario. Harvey and the Extraordinary, based on her 2018 play, is her debut novel.

Vancouver-based Anna Bron studied traditional animation at Sheridan College. She illustrated the award-winning picture bookSalma the Syrian Chefand has animated, designed, and directed commercials and short films.

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