United Tates Of America - Tapa dura

First title in an original, lively new series from a hugely popular author. My name is Skate Tate. I've just about finished my first day of sixth grade...Actually, my first day has just about finished me. Skate's not sure she likes high school. But at least it's great new material for her scrapbooking: a hobby she shares with her beloved Great-Uncle Mort (GUM). A well-travelled rule-breaker, GUM shows Skate that she can adjust to anything if she keeps an open mind. But then tragedy strikes, and she finds herself taking a journey that puts GUM's teaching to the test...Told with characteristic wisdom and wit by acclaimed author Paula Danziger, United Tates of America is the first in the series about the inimitable Tate family.

Paula Danziger's ancestors did not arrive in the US on the Mayflower; nor did she. Since her arrival (birth), she has been busy growing up and holding a variety of jobs: gift-wrapper, playground supervisor, junior school teacher and, oh yes, author. She has written over 30 books, including the ever-popular The Cat Ate My Gymsuit and the many Amber Brown books. Because of United Tates of America, Paula Danziger is now part of the scrapbooking world. She can be seen taking photos, removing stickers from her clothing, and saying, Oh, this is a scrapbook moment.