A heartfelt and sincere look at a family navigating life’s hardships.
In this contemporary novel set in the affluent fictional town of Evans Beach, near Portland, Maine, a teen unexpectedly becomes the caregiver for her nephews. Seventeen-year-old Hannah Lynn has grown up with her absent-minded yet loving father, who works for the local public works department. Since her mother passed away when she was just four, Hannah has relied on her own independence and intelligence, eager to escape Evans Beach’s elitist atmosphere once she finishes school. However, when her father agrees to take in his grandsons—13-year-old Henry and 9-year-old Simon—after her troubled older sister Pauline loses custody, Hannah finds herself deeply involved in their lives. The story sensitively explores Hannah and her father’s warm, albeit imperfect, bond, as well as the realistic, sometimes intense challenges her nephews face. The complexities of the child welfare system are depicted with accuracy, while a budding romance with her quirky, kind-hearted classmate, Richard Greene, adds charm and lightness. Though some dialogue may feel a bit too witty during stressful moments, it frequently brings humor and a sense of balance to this poignant tale. Main characters are depicted as white.
A sincere and compelling story about a family navigating difficult times. (Author’s note) (Fiction, ages 13–18)
