Here is the story of a Melissa Parkington, who longs to do something good -- and whose long and beautiful hair leads to the ultimate act of kindness and generosity.

“Spectacular!” “Gorgeous!” “Fabulous!” These are some of the words people use to describe Melissa Parkington's hair, which is long, thick, and so shiny that it seems to sparkle.  But Melissa Parkington would like to be known for more than her hair. Afterall, her hair isn't really an accomplishment. It just grows out of her head! Melissa wants to do something special, someting spectacular. But everything she tries doesn't seem to work out the way she plans. Then, one day, she discovers she can do something special — with her hair.

Melissa wants to accomplish something speical, but what could it be? "Spectacular!" "Gorgeous!" "Fabulous!" Those are some of the words people use to describe Melissa Parkington's hair, which is long, thick, and so shiny that it seems to sparkle. But Melissa would like to be known for more than her hair. Melissa wants to do something spectacular. But everything she tries doesn't seem to work out. Then one day she discovers that she can do something special—with her hair. Pat Brisson's engaging and thought-provoking story features lively illustrations by Suzanne Bloom.

"This honest and deeply felt story should have a place in most collections." —School Library Journal

"Brisson's clear and heartening story is balanced by Bloom's mixed-media, deeply colored gauche/pencil/crayon paintings depicting an assortment of scenes filled with multicultural children and a compassionate and benevolent young girl who has found her way to make a difference." —Kirkus Reviews

"The story is well-crafted and shows Melissa's growth as a character. . . . Overall, readers will connect to both the story and the illustrations." —Library Media Connection