In the mountains of rural Vermont, fall is a season of beauty and transformation . . . but not for Gianna Z. With less than one week to collect twenty-five leaves for a science project, her spot at cross-country sectionals is in serious peril. Plus with a dad who runs a funeral parlor out of the basement, a grandma who keeps losing her teeth, and a rival trying to steal her spot on the team, Gee just wishes life could leave her alone to finish her project. But when Nonna disappears one afternoon, suddenly some things seem more important than projects and races. Gianna Z. will have readers rooting for her-and maybe even for science projects-from the very first page of this funny and poignant novel about family, friendship, and being true to yourself. Winner of the 2010 E. B. White Read Aloud Award for Older ReadersBank Street College of Education Best Books of 2009IndieBound Fall 2009 Kids IndieNext ListKids' IndieNext PickNew Hampshire Great Stone Face Award NomineePennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award NomineeMissouri Mark Twain Award NomineeNew York Charlotte Award Nominee | The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z by Kate Messner, Paperback | Indigo Chapters