Barbara Bottner

Lulu has her mind set on one very important goal. She is completely focused on landing the perfect solo role in her upcoming ballet recital. Nothing else matters as much as dancing perfectly in the spotlight. But there is a small problem dancing right alongside her. Her younger sister, Marsha, is cast as a simple little flower in the exact same show. When Lulu gets too caught up in her own big dreams, she ends up hurting Marsha's feelings in a very real way. Suddenly, the spotlight does not seem quite as bright when her sister is feeling down. You will watch Lulu learn a tough but valuable lesson about what truly matters most. It is a gentle, realistic look at how tricky it can be to balance personal ambition with being a good older sibling. This story shows how taking a moment to care for your family can be much more rewarding than any stage performance. Will Lulu find a way to make things right before the curtain goes up?

Lulu is having a terrible, horrible, extremely frustrating week. Her younger sister, Marsha, has caught the chicken pox. Now Marsha gets to lie on the couch, watch whatever she wants on television, and get absolutely all of their mother's attention. Lulu feels completely invisible and highly annoyed that a few itchy spots have turned her sister into the queen of the house. You will completely understand Lulu's frustration as she tries every hilarious trick she can think of to get her mother to notice her again. From performing loud stunts to pretending she is also coming down with a mysterious illness, Lulu goes to extreme lengths to steal back the spotlight. It is an incredibly relatable, funny look at the challenges of sharing a parent's attention and dealing with a sick sibling. This warmhearted story captures the messy, emotional reality of family life while reminding readers that a parent's love is big enough for everyone.