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

The Teachers’ Guide to accompany Picturing Alyssa by Alison Lohans.
Short-listed for the 2011 Saskatchewan Book Awards: Children’s Literature Award and Regina Book Award
Who is the girl staring out of the old photograph? Every time Alyssa Dixon looks at it, even by accident, she finds herself on an Iowa farm in 1931. The past is nothing like Alyssa’s unhappy life her mother severely depressed after the stillbirth of Alyssas baby sister; escalating bullying by Brooklynne, a popular girl; and a teacher who is unsympathetic toward Alyssa’s family’s pacifist beliefs.
Why cant Alyssa live in the past with her new friend, Deborah? Yet Alyssa is always pulled back to the present, where things only get worse. Maybe the farm isn’t so idyllic, though. Deborah’s mother is ill with a difficult pregnancy, and there’s so much work. A series of old family photos shows Alyssa unsettling things about Deborah’s family things Deborah seems not to know. Can Alyssa help the baby be born safely, and at the same time work through the overwhelming problems at home?

Stories and music have been important in Alison Lohans's life since early childhood. With parents who loved telling stories and singing at bedtime, and always a stash of library books on hand, how could Alison not be drawn in?

The Wind and Amanda's Cello is Alison's thirty-first book, and came from a whimsical "What if?" idea. Her publications range from picture books and early-reader chapter books to novels for middle-graders and young adults. She has won awards for her work and has given more than a thousand readings in schools and libraries across Canada. Alison has taught writing, and she's taught music as well.Starting piano at age five, she could read simple music before she could read words.

When Alison's younger son, Chris, started cello lessons, she got hooked, too! She's active in local music groups, playing recorder, cornet and cello, singing in her church choir, and once again taking piano lessons. She also loves to travel.

Alison Lohans lives in Regina, Saskatchewan with her furry friends Sebastian and Sassy and two budgies. Visit Alison online at alisonlohans.wordpress.com or on Facebook @alisonlohanswriter.

Alison Lohans' profile page

...readers will connect with Alyssa and her increasing frustration with her home situation.

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The author tells a gripping story and has the reader trying to solve the problems, and yet wondering how it could possibly work out. 4 out of 5 stars.

The Lethbridge Herald

In the hands of experienced writers Buffie [author of Winter Shadows] and Lohans, the shifts between past and present are easily navigated by readers. The brooch in Winter Shadows and the photograph in Picturing Alyssa both operate smoothly to convey characters through time and space. At first stricken with confusion, and then with growing understanding and control, these two protagonists are strikingly convincing within the suspension of disbelief conjured by good fantasy. Both books are highly recommended for ages 11 and up.

The Saskatoon Star-Phoenix

...an interesting read, pushing readers to think about ideas in our high-pressure, fast-paced society.

The Guelph Mercury

The strongest scenes of this book are those describing Alyssa's relationships with her family. Her interactions with her brother are realistic and touching as they both deal with their parents' neglect. The characters of the great-grandmother's family are well-drawn and their interactions with each other and with Alyssa are convincing.

CM Magazine