Standing Tall — Joan Bauer

"Tallness is packed with great expectations."

Tree is twelve years old and too tall -- six foot three and a half inches and growing. He's never really been able to fit in at school or on the basketball team, and since his parents' divorce he doesn't even feel comfortable in his own home. Tree copes by helping people like his grandpa, a Vietnam vet who's just had part of a leg amputated, and Sophie, a new girl at school who is being teased by the popular kids. In helping his grandpa learn to walk again and in listening to Sophie's advice to be himself, Tree begins to heal, to stand tall.

Newbery Honor author Joan Bauer's novel, packed with memorable characters and bighearted humor, is about finding purpose in tough times.