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Description
When Charles Endicott hides from his piano lesson at St. Bart's Church, he encounters a homeless girl whose life becomes intertwined with his after a dangerous accident involving falling stained glass. This young adult novel explores their developing connection as the incident forces both characters to confront difficult truths about themselves and each other.
Quick Summary
Michael Bedard's *Stained Glass* drops you into a quirky church adventure where a reluctant piano student stumbles into something far bigger than a missed lesson. Charles Endicott is trying to dodge his piano lesson, so he hides out at St. Bart's, but his plan flips when a homeless girl gets cut by a falling stained-glass window, thrusting him into a tense rescue and an unexpected friendship. The story mixes clever, lighthearted moments like Charles's goofy attempts to avoid his teacher with some genuinely creepy scenes that will keep older teens on edge. It's perfect for readers who love humor, a dash of mystery, and a heartfelt look at empathy and standing up for others, without getting overly preachy. Parents will appreciate that the overall tone is wholesome, though there's a brief, startling scene of the window shattering that might be scary for younger kids. If you enjoyed the offbeat, atmospheric storytelling of *The Mysterious Benedict Society* or the touching friendships in *The One and Only Ivan*, you'll likely feel right at home here.