One Time

Perfect for fans of Love That Dog, this tale is about the transformative power of imagination and the journey to becoming who you are meant to be. This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, at home or at school. It’s a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom.

Gina Filomena has been told she has an overactive imagination. With her bright clothing and artistic spirit, she’s always felt different from the other kids in her class. That is, until she meets her new neighbor, a mysterious boy named Antonio with a wide, welcoming smile.

Add in a creative new teacher, Miss Lightstone, and a world of possibilities opens up for Gina, Antonio, and their classmates. With the help of Antonio and Miss Lightstone, will Gina find the answers to the questions Who am I? and Who do I want to be?

• An Inspirational Teacher: Meet Miss Lightstone, the new teacher who doesn’t give tests, but asks the most important question of all: “Who could you be?”
• The Power of Imagination: For Gina, imagination means seeing angels in trees. For her new friend Antonio, it means spotting elephants on the street. Together, they learn they’re not so different after all.
• A Middle Grade School Story: Follow a year of creative writing experiments, silent Wednesdays, and classroom discoveries that change how Gina and her classmates see the world—and themselves.
• Finding Your Voice: A gentle and moving novel about celebrating what makes you unique, the magic of a true friend, and the journey to answering life’s biggest questions.