
Written by Tim Tibbitts
Price: £9.99 / $19.95
Pages: 192
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781784383053
Highlights
Awarded ‘Manuscript of Merit’ – Association of Jewish Libraries
Selection by the PJ Library Editorial Committee
‘A beautiful, human telling of a boy’s relationship with his grandmother’ – Rabbi Joshua Caruso – Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple
Description
Fig’s life at school is perfectly normal: he’s sure his science teacher hates him, his dad is forcing him to attend barmitzvah classes because his mum would have wanted it, and he’s just been passed over for the football team in favour of Gus Starks, a ball hog and a bully.
And, as if Fig’s life needed one more complication, his grandmother Gigi is unexpectedly coming to stay with him and his dad for a while. As Gig helps Fig navigate the obstacles of school and a tough football season, Fig comes to understand some important things: about his religion, about his family, and about Fig himself.
Echo Still is a sports story about refusing to give up on one’s dreams regardless of the obstacles. It’s a school story, about an ordinary 12-year-old boy dealing with the everyday challenges of growing up. But most compellingly, Echo Still offers a moving depiction of the healing power of a grandmother’s love.
Infused with Jewish values and affection for Jewish rituals and holidays, this novel will certainly appeal to Jewish communities everywhere, but the deep humanity of Echo Still will resonate with readers of all backgrounds.
Author Details
Tim Tibbitts is a teacher and tutor based in Ohio. This is his first book – unless you count his first attempt to write a book when he was a teenager (a two-chapter “book” called Eight Little Men, presented as a gift to his great-grandmother for her 80th birthday). He is currently at work on his first opera libretto, an adaptation of the very short story by a nineteenth century writer Kate Chopin, The Story of an Hour.
Reviews
“A beautiful, human telling of a boy’s relationship with his grandmother.” – Rabbi Joshua Caruso, Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple)
“Sports, religion, and family all come together in this sweet and thoughtful coming-of-age middle grade novel … This somewhat bittersweet (though more sweet than bitter) story, a PJ Our Way selection, is a superb intergenerational story with which many kids can easily identify.” – Association of Jewish Libraries
“I was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed this. It’s really well written and very emotional. The storyline really draws you in and keeps you reading until the end.” – 4/5-star Amazon review from DarkRavenReviews
“Echo Still is a story of 12-year old Jewish boy who loves to play soccer. As the story unfolds, he is forced to change his priorities in life. He learns some difficult lessons regarding relationships, his religion, and his family. Although the target audience for this book is early teens, it will be enjoyed by readers of all ages. This is Tim Tibbitts’ first novel and I am already looking forward to his next one!” – 5-star Amazon review from R Romeo
Echo Still is about a lot of stuff I really don’t know much about—13-year-old boys, soccer, and the Jewish faith. Needless to say, I wasn’t sure how much I’d relate to it. As it turns out, it is a heartwarming story about so much more. The story develops at a nice pace, and the dialogue is very realistic, having made me want to ‘keep on going’ to the end. It was ‘a quick read,’ but I was done much too soon.” – 5-star Amazon review from Linda D.