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Susan Thogerson Maas
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Picture Imperfect Paperback – February 13, 2015

by Susan Thogerson Maas (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 39 ratings
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Twelve-year-old JJ loves three things: her great-grandma, her cat, and photography. But she's never going to be a real photographer unless she gets better equipment. When her best friend, Kat, discovers a photo contest with the grand prize of a fancy digital camera-the kind JJ's parents could never afford-she jumps at the chance to win it. Things start going wrong when ditzy Aunt Lissa moves in under mysterious circumstances and JJ's forced to share her room. Why did Lissa lose her job anyway? Kat has all sorts of theories-theories that bring more trouble than the girls can imagine. Gram's not doing so great, the cat's always trying to sneak out, and Aunt Lissa's ruining JJ's summer. According to Gram, photography is JJ's God-given talent, but how can that be true when everything keeps going wrong? "The moving story of a young girl who finds her God-given gift, while coming to terms with loss and change." ~BILL MEYERS, Author of Eli and The Jesus Experience "Young readers will relate to the story of a girl trying to find her place in her family and in the world, and the strong voice and gentle sense of humor will keep them reading. Not to mention a wayward cat and a mystery or two. A fun read with real emotions and good values." ~JEANNIE ST. JOHN TAYLOR, Radio Host and Author/Illustrator of thirty-plus books "Delightful characters, realistic situations, and beautifully expressed emotions make Picture Imperfect the perfect read." ~ANGELA RUTH STRONG, Author of The Fun4Hire Series
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Ashberry Lane
  4. Publication date
    February 13, 2015
  5. Dimensions
    5 x 0.6 x 8 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1941720102
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1941720103
  8. See all details
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New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade. New in teachers' picks. More children's books by grade.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ashberry Lane (February 13, 2015)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1941720102
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1941720103
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.6 x 8 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 39 ratings

About the author

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Susan Thogerson Maas

Susan Thogerson Maas

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Susan Thogerson Maas has written part-time for over 35 years. She homeschooled her sons, specializing in hands-on activities, and has worked in the field of educational testing. She has published numerous devotionals, inspirational and homeschooling articles, and children's stories and middle grade books, Picture Imperfect and Abbie's Woods: Defending the Nest. Favorite activities include photography, camping, hiking, growing organic vegetables, and, of course, reading and writing. Susan is married and has two grown sons, two wonderful daughters-in-law, and two amazing grandsons. In her spare time, she birdwatches and swears fealty to a feisty, but sweet, cat named Fiona.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
39 global ratings
A Fun Story About A Girl and Her Dreams!
4 Stars
A Fun Story About A Girl and Her Dreams!
A fun and relatable main character deals with an annoying relative while racing toward the goal of winning a photo contest when all of a sudden the idea of losing reflects a deep heartbreak she never expected. Something I LOVE about this story is that it isn't a book about grief. It is a book about a girl with other trials and joys that happens to experience grief at some point in the story. Such an important distinction. Kids may not want to read a story about grief, but this book is about so many other fun things and stands on its own as a fun middle grade story about a girl and her dreams. The sorrow happens, but is natural and thoughtful and doesn't take over the story. So good! I was invested in the main character and I both laughed and cried. The one negative, occasionally the kids can feel dated, like children from 30 years ago. However, if the child in your life has enjoyed any classics (Nancy Drew, Boxcar Children, Cooper Family Adventures) they won't even notice because the writing is well done and the characters have real heart! A wonderful middle grade read!
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Top reviews from the United States

Shoppinurse
5.0 out of 5 stars A Cute, Clean Story About the Big Picture
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
I love the writer’s style. She’s in touch with the struggles young girls face. I appreciate the fact that she includes the grandmother, since so many young people feel disconnected with their grandparents and great grandparents. I also appreciate the fact that the main character had to come to grips with the fact that she might not get the one thing she really wanted. Great take-away.
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Kristen J. Wilks
4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Story About A Girl and Her Dreams!
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024
A fun and relatable main character deals with an annoying relative while racing toward the goal of winning a photo contest when all of a sudden the idea of losing reflects a deep heartbreak she never expected. Something I LOVE about this story is that it isn't a book about grief. It is a book about a girl with other trials and joys that happens to experience grief at some point in the story. Such an important distinction. Kids may not want to read a story about grief, but this book is about so many other fun things and stands on its own as a fun middle grade story about a girl and her dreams. The sorrow happens, but is natural and thoughtful and doesn't take over the story. So good! I was invested in the main character and I both laughed and cried. The one negative, occasionally the kids can feel dated, like children from 30 years ago. However, if the child in your life has enjoyed any classics (Nancy Drew, Boxcar Children, Cooper Family Adventures) they won't even notice because the writing is well done and the characters have real heart! A wonderful middle grade read!
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Kristen J. Wilks
4.0 out of 5 stars A Fun Story About A Girl and Her Dreams!
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2024
A fun and relatable main character deals with an annoying relative while racing toward the goal of winning a photo contest when all of a sudden the idea of losing reflects a deep heartbreak she never expected. Something I LOVE about this story is that it isn't a book about grief. It is a book about a girl with other trials and joys that happens to experience grief at some point in the story. Such an important distinction. Kids may not want to read a story about grief, but this book is about so many other fun things and stands on its own as a fun middle grade story about a girl and her dreams. The sorrow happens, but is natural and thoughtful and doesn't take over the story. So good! I was invested in the main character and I both laughed and cried. The one negative, occasionally the kids can feel dated, like children from 30 years ago. However, if the child in your life has enjoyed any classics (Nancy Drew, Boxcar Children, Cooper Family Adventures) they won't even notice because the writing is well done and the characters have real heart! A wonderful middle grade read!
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Mountainview
5.0 out of 5 stars A Book To Share
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2015
Verified Purchase
I always make it a point to read books before I give them to my grandchildren. Books are perhaps my favorite gifts as they offer not only the stories within, but also opportunities to expand their horizons and to discuss the values and lessons presented. This charming and engaging story is one that I am looking forward to sharing with my 11-year-old granddaughter. I hope she finds it as moving as I did. Please let this delightful first work be followed with many more.
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Sheila Deeth
4.0 out of 5 stars Genuine characters, believable plot, and nicely-proffered message
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2015
JJ is twelve and loves photography. Her grandmother gave her a camera for her birthday, but already she aspires to something far more expensive and hopes to win the perfect SLR through a photography contest. Meanwhile her aunt has come to stay, and JJ has to share her bedroom. When the aunt fails to close the kitchen door, JJ’s cat escapes. And soon JJ’s just wishing she could escape from it all. Winning the contest – that would solve all her problems, or so she believes.

JJ’s grandmother believes JJ’s photography is a God-given gift. Gram likes to talk about God, and JJ likes to humor her. But photos are far more likely than God to win her prize she dreams of.

Family relationships are nicely draw in this middle-grade novel, and even the evil, room-invading aunt has her good points, though she could always be a criminal hiding from the law. God turns out to have his good points too in a tale where half-heard truths of family or faith can mislead, and real truth can mend. Picture Imperfect paints a picture of genuinely imperfect characters facing trials and temptations, then leads them along a genuine Christian path to God-given hope. In the end, it’s not what we think we believe that matters, but rather the truth that God loves us.

Disclosure: I won a free copy at a writers’ conference – lucky me!
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Gracie Writes
5.0 out of 5 stars Believable Fiction
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2015
Verified Purchase
I was very impressed with the storyline of this book. Susan Thogerson Maas has woven a believable story of a young girl's quest to follow her dream of photography. Along the way she learns the importance of family, friends and a relationship with God. As in real life, there are challenges along the way. I enjoyed that the storyline was not predictable, and there were a number of twists and turns to keep the reader interested.
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JaneSail
5.0 out of 5 stars Encouraging Read
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2016
Verified Purchase
This is a delightful tale that most of us can identify with, a coming of age and search for purpose. When we believe God is on our side , and that he believes in us, we are more sensitive to his nudging us in directions that fulfill us.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this story and all of it's characters
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2015
Verified Purchase
I loved this story and all of it's characters. I bought it on Kindle but plan to buy a print copy as well to keep for my granddaughter when she is a little older.It has a great message as well as being a fun read!
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Sandy Zaugg
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2015
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A well-crafted story about some real life issues, and enough mystery to keep one in suspense.
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