SYNOPSIS

Paulina may be nicknamed “Feather” by her three brothers and dad but she is hardly a lightweight when it comes to housework.

Family chores are determined by fighting, and Feather, being the smallest, usually gets stuck with all the cleaning and shopping and cooking.

To win freedom from chores and time for her favorite piano, Feather takes up boxing.

Despite her brothers’ and father’s incredulity, Feather not only excels in the sport but wins a big fight match.

Having earned her brothers’ respect, fairly distributed chores and a new piano, Paulina gives up boxing because “fists should be opened and fingers should fly.”

PERFECT AGE 5 – 8

THEMES

• Determination, perseverance, willingness to beat the odds
• Fighting size / gender / family-role stereotypes
• Commitment to pursue one’s goals by any means possible
• Not waiting for others to solve one’s problems

We love

• Fair is fair – as Paulina gets stronger and wins fights with her brothers, they do start doing chores
• Father and brothers may not gush but they too have a tender side – the notes of encouragement and mom’s photo hidden in the glove melted our hearts!
• To get inspiration and courage before fights, Paulina reminds herself of other brave and talented women in history
• Beautiful illustrations and oversized first-letter vignettes

CONVERSATION STARTERS

• Why do you think Paulina chose to take up boxing? Couldn’t she have just talked to her brothers about getting fewer chores?
• If it wasn’t her size that helped her become a good boxer, what do you think may have helped instead?
• What did Paulina do to calm herself before the big match? What do you do to calm yourself?
• Can you think of a goal that seems impossible right now? What would Paulina tell you about it?