Audrey Vernick

Other than their first names, Naomi Marie and Naomi Edith are sure they have nothing in common, and they wouldn't mind keeping it that way. Naomi Marie starts clubs at the library and adores being a big sister. Naomi Edith loves quiet Saturdays and hanging with her best friend in her backyard. And while Naomi Marie's father lives a few blocks away, Naomi Edith wonders how she's supposed to get through each day a whole country apart from her mother....

Based on the childhood of Mississippi folk artist, Tim Brown, the tale relates the simple pleasure of love, loss, and the redemptive power of art. The artist's own paintings illustrate the text about Brown's tender friendship with his dog, Bark.

A class that is terribly disappointed in their lack of a class pet discovers that having a class plant is the best thing ever.

While the girls acclimate to their new home and stepfamily, Naomi Marie and Naomi E. begins sixth grade in another school which exhibits a whole new set of surprises and challenges.