Nothing Is Little

by Carmella Van Vleet (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

The case of a missing father is hard to crack . . . even for Felix, a tiny kid with a huge heart and an eye for detail.

Eleven-year-old Felix likes being the smallest kid in school.

At least he knows where he fits in. Plus his nickname, "Short-lock Holmes," is perfect for someone who's killing it in forensic science club. To Felix, Growth Hormone Deficiency is no big deal.

And then Felix learns that his biological dad was short, too. This one, tiny, itty-bitty piece of information opens up a massive hole in his life. Felix must find his father. He only has a few small clues to work from, but as Sherlock Holmes said, "To a great mind, nothing is little." The further Felix gets in his investigation, though, the more he starts to wonder: What if his dad doesn't want to be found? And what if Felix's family--his mom, his stepdad, the baby on the way--needs him right where he is?

Tender and uplifting, this warm novel from Christopher Award-winner Carmella Van Vleet celebrates little differences in us that can make a big impact.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

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Kirkus Reviews

A captivating, humorous, and heartfelt story of friendship, family, and crime-solving. 

Booklist

A fresh and funny read that sells itself, and it demonstrates that there is more than one way to grow.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6--Ever the optimist about his short stature, 11-year-old Felix has a growth hormone deficiency that requires shots to help him grow. Unsure as to why he's so short, Felix asks his mom about his biological father whom he's never met. Felix's mother isn't ready to talk about it as she is preoccupied with a baby on the way and with her husband, Paul. Paul does his best to include Felix in the family activities, but Felix can't help wondering if he'll ever stop feeling like "an extra puzzle piece." At school, things seem to be clicking with the Forensic Science Club he's joined; he's made new friends and learned a lot about gathering evidence and clues. He's hoping to use those skills and locate his biological father before he has to decide if he wants to take his stepfather's last name. Written from Felix's perspective, the story keeps a steady pace as it alternates between school and home, giving a firsthand account of what it's like to be young and faced with decisions that are difficult to navigate. VERDICT Engaging and heartfelt, Van Vleet's title delivers big on the feels. Anyone who's ever been made to feel small will benefit from hearing Felix's story.--Tracy Cronce

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Nothing Is Little offers powerful proof that little things can matter in a great big way. What a beautiful book! The most huge-hearted and heartwarming story you'll read this year.—Claudia Mills, author of The Lost Language

Smart, funny, and memorable. You can't help but love Felix! He has big goals and a great big heart, and he'll live large in your memory long after the final page is turned.—Margi Preus, Newbery Honor-winning author
Carmella Van Vleet

Carmella Van Vleet is a former teacher and the award-winning author of nearly two dozen books for kids and adults. She is the author of Explore Ancient Rome, Robotics, and Aviation: Cool Women Who Fly from Nomad Press. She lives in Ohio.
Website: carmellavanvleet.com


Micah Rauch is a freelance graphic designer and illustrator from the beautiful state of Montana. He received a BFA in graphic design from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana and has illustrated several books for Nomad Press, including Kitchen Chemistry, Fairground Physics, and Crazy Contraptions.
Website: micahrauch.com
Instagram: instagram.com/micahrauch

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780823450114
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Holiday House
Publication date
July 20, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV015020 - Juvenile Fiction | Health & Daily Living | Diseases, Illnesses & Injuries
JUV039140 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance
JUV028000 - Juvenile Fiction | Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories
JUV013080 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Blended Families
Library of Congress categories
Babies
Fathers
Infants
Forensic sciences
Novels
Growth disorders
Junior Library Guild
Gold Standard Selection

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