• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

Two years ago, sixteen-year-old Sydney Hart was kicked out of the prestigious Burke Academy when her mother could no longer afford the tuition.

Sydney lost a promising future in the arts, as well as her best friend, who didn't want to be seen with an art academy reject. But now, without Burke's rigid structure, Sydney has found her true passion in performance painting and is busking on Halifax's boardwalk to earn enough money to go to art camp. After the police shut her down, Sydney learns her old school is hosting a "brush-off" speed-painting contest with a cash prize. Entering would mean facing her painful past, not to mention her former friend, who's also competing.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

Mere Joyce's profile page

Mere Joyce writes short stories as well as novels and holds a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Western Ontario. The library where she works is also a public art gallery that often showcases contemporary forms of art. The organization hosts an annual brush-off competition for teens. Mere lives in Cambridge, Ontario, with her family

"A feel-good story with a tidy, happy ending."

Kirkus Reviews

"When I grab an Orca title, I expect a few things: fast pace, interesting storyline, clear writing, good message, and an overall quick read. Getting the Brush Off delivers on all these, and I look forward to adding it to my school library's collection. Highly Recommended."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

Joyce creates a protagonist that you care about and that eases some disappointment. The message comes through loud and clear that one must challenge expectations and be true to one's own dreams and goals even in the face of outside pressure to do otherwise. Getting the Brush Off would be a solid addition to any library collection in need of high-interest low-vocabulary selections.

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