• Age: 8 to 12
• Grade: 2 to 4
• Reading age: 8 to 12

Zach and Zoe start up 'Odd Jobs Unlimited' as a way to beat the summer doldrums, but just when their business begins to take off with a dogsitting job, bullying cousin Howie comes to stay. Juggling the needs of the pup and the demands of their cousin is difficult enough, but when household items start disappearing, the twins set out to solve the mystery.

[Fry Reading Level - 3.5

After nearly 30 years as a published author, Kristin has written more biographies of herself than she cares to remember. And she has run out of new ways to describe the same old life. Besides, she doesn't think of herself in terms of her birthplace, education, and work history. What she'd really like people to know about her is that she loves to dance. She loves to laugh. She loves to learn. Crossword puzzles relax her. Waiting frustrates her. She likes spending time by herself. And, like the heroine in her new book Closer to Far Away, she has a family that gives her strength. Her books include Cheat, Girls Like Me, The Druid and the Dragon, and Alibi. Kristin lives in Campbell River, British Columbia.

Kristin Butcher's profile page

• Winner, Chocolate Lily Award
• Short-listed, Finalist - Hackmatack Childrens Choice Book Award

"Butcher skillfully tells the tale of what happens when our perceptions about someone are wrong....appropriate for use in elementary grades one through four."

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