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The Hidden Power of Dandelions
You'd never dream of causing permanent harm to someone you love ... but what if it's an accident?
Twelve year old Rylee has always based her self-worth on the fact that her dad's a highly respected fireman. So what happens when her best friend takes part in a reckless prank that leaves her dad paralyzed, effectively destroying his firefighting career?
It's easy to place the blame squarely on her best friend's shoulders. But nearly impossible to admit her own role in the accident. Can Rylee ever find a way to make it up to her dad--to restore not only his, but her own happiness and self-worth? Or is it one of those mistakes simply too big to fix?
Readers will be cheering for and sympathizing with Rylee from page one, because who's never done something they deeply regret?
From the award winning author of A Million Ways Home and Just Left of Lucky, comes this powerful and inspiring tale of family, forgiveness and accepting a new normal. For fans of Katherine Applegate, Lynda Mullaly Hunt and Sharon Draper.
Twelve year old Rylee has always based her self-worth on the fact that her dad's a highly respected fireman. So what happens when her best friend takes part in a reckless prank that leaves her dad paralyzed, effectively destroying his firefighting career?
It's easy to place the blame squarely on her best friend's shoulders. But nearly impossible to admit her own role in the accident. Can Rylee ever find a way to make it up to her dad--to restore not only his, but her own happiness and self-worth? Or is it one of those mistakes simply too big to fix?
Readers will be cheering for and sympathizing with Rylee from page one, because who's never done something they deeply regret?
From the award winning author of A Million Ways Home and Just Left of Lucky, comes this powerful and inspiring tale of family, forgiveness and accepting a new normal. For fans of Katherine Applegate, Lynda Mullaly Hunt and Sharon Draper.
Paperback
Published August 21, 2019
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About the author
Dianna Dorisi Winget
11 books117 followersDianna begin writing at nine years old, when she would stuff notebooks under her bed to prevent prying eyes from seeing her wonderful masterpieces. It wasn't until graduating from high school that she finally admitted her love for writing.
With the support of her parents, she was able to enroll in the Institute of Children's Literature, a well-respected correspondance school. After completing both the basic and advanced courses, Dianna began selling short stories and articles to magazines such as Clubhouse, U*S* Kids, Child Life, and Good Reading for Everyone.
It wasn't until 2012, that Dianna realized her dream of writing middle grade novels for kids with the publication of "A Smidgen of Sky," (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) followed by the sequel, "A Sliver of Sun." She is also the author of "A Million Ways Home" published by Scholastic Press in 2014. Dianna is repped by Lara Perkins at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
With the support of her parents, she was able to enroll in the Institute of Children's Literature, a well-respected correspondance school. After completing both the basic and advanced courses, Dianna began selling short stories and articles to magazines such as Clubhouse, U*S* Kids, Child Life, and Good Reading for Everyone.
It wasn't until 2012, that Dianna realized her dream of writing middle grade novels for kids with the publication of "A Smidgen of Sky," (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) followed by the sequel, "A Sliver of Sun." She is also the author of "A Million Ways Home" published by Scholastic Press in 2014. Dianna is repped by Lara Perkins at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 3, 2019
Thank you to the author for sharing The Hidden Power of Dandelions with Collabookation.
Rylee had a good life back in Oregon - a best, best friend, a strong family, and her hero was her dad: a proud and strong fireman. Rylee loved to go to the firehouse with her dad, loved that he came to school to talk about his profession, loved the attention she got from people who had previously ignored her after they got to meet her charismatic firefighting dad. But when a tragic accident leaves him paralyzed and seemingly defeated, she finds herself becoming as despondent and disconnected as he is. When she learns that her best friend is responsible for the accident, Rylee loses everything.
This book is Rylee moving to another state (so that her uncle can help care for her father), and trying to rebuild her life. Rylee is determined to help her father become active again in the firefighting world, maybe as an outreach educator. When Rylee meets Miguel, she is still reeling from learning that her best friend was responsible for hurting her father, and she refuses to consider another friendship.
This book is a book about dealing with pain, dealing with those things that cannot be changed. Rylee can't change her father's prognosis, but she has the desire to be a hero for him now, especially because he's been one to her forever. But, in all the best books about the limitations of adolescence, Rylee can't solve the problems of other people. So she has to learn, the hard way, that every person must fight their own battles.
As a firefighter's wife, I loved the positive light the profession was presented in. There is a certain pride in knowing your family member rushes in to situations most would run out of. I also found myself wanting Rylee to depend on her mom a little more- she took so much on herself. But I did love the way she eventually does learn to accept love and support from those closeby.
I think students will enjoy the story, and learning that they (like Rylee) cannot solve all the world's problems, is a great lesson to take away.
Highly recommend The Hidden Power of Dandelions to students in grade 5 and up.
Rylee had a good life back in Oregon - a best, best friend, a strong family, and her hero was her dad: a proud and strong fireman. Rylee loved to go to the firehouse with her dad, loved that he came to school to talk about his profession, loved the attention she got from people who had previously ignored her after they got to meet her charismatic firefighting dad. But when a tragic accident leaves him paralyzed and seemingly defeated, she finds herself becoming as despondent and disconnected as he is. When she learns that her best friend is responsible for the accident, Rylee loses everything.
This book is Rylee moving to another state (so that her uncle can help care for her father), and trying to rebuild her life. Rylee is determined to help her father become active again in the firefighting world, maybe as an outreach educator. When Rylee meets Miguel, she is still reeling from learning that her best friend was responsible for hurting her father, and she refuses to consider another friendship.
This book is a book about dealing with pain, dealing with those things that cannot be changed. Rylee can't change her father's prognosis, but she has the desire to be a hero for him now, especially because he's been one to her forever. But, in all the best books about the limitations of adolescence, Rylee can't solve the problems of other people. So she has to learn, the hard way, that every person must fight their own battles.
As a firefighter's wife, I loved the positive light the profession was presented in. There is a certain pride in knowing your family member rushes in to situations most would run out of. I also found myself wanting Rylee to depend on her mom a little more- she took so much on herself. But I did love the way she eventually does learn to accept love and support from those closeby.
I think students will enjoy the story, and learning that they (like Rylee) cannot solve all the world's problems, is a great lesson to take away.
Highly recommend The Hidden Power of Dandelions to students in grade 5 and up.
March 8, 2020
Good read. It definitely didn’t end how I anticipated it. I kinda wish the characters were a few years older. Overall good read.
May 7, 2020
Great book
I really liked it although I wish the ending would have been a bit more clear other than that it was great
I really liked it although I wish the ending would have been a bit more clear other than that it was great
April 2, 2021
Winget’s understanding and execution of tension is masterful. She draws you into the adolescent heart and mind much the way John Green does. Until climax, her protagonist is constantly close to the truth, but just a few degrees off. Because that protagonist is also the first person narrator, the reader is right there with Rylee, feeling every ounce of her struggle and anxious to find out the whole truth that must be lurking just around the next corner. Winget creates a can’t put it down, thriller-like feeling in a book that largely takes place in the head of a teenager. This constant suspense without relying on external plot twists and turns is rare and something we only expect from masters like Kazuo Ishiguro.
October 15, 2019
Kids will love this story about family, friendship, forgiveness, and the power to accept unexpected changes life throws at us. Dianna Winget introduces a cast of authentic characters through her masterful writing and story-telling skills, and you will root for Rylee from the moment you meet her until the very last page.
July 6, 2020
A truly amazing book
I love this book so much! The plot and storyline itself is intriguing. this book is amazing, 100%. More please!
I love this book so much! The plot and storyline itself is intriguing. this book is amazing, 100%. More please!
October 22, 2021
Moving story about friendship and forgiveness
Absolutely must read story about a fractured friendship, a father's predicament and how fragile life is. Forgiveness is freeing! Okay
Absolutely must read story about a fractured friendship, a father's predicament and how fragile life is. Forgiveness is freeing! Okay
July 5, 2025
Short but sweet book about a girl adapting to change with the help of a dog and a new sidekick.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews