"An engaging, honest book.
I loved Cat and you will too!"
—Kimberly Brubaker Bradley,
Newbery Honor-winning author of
The War That Saved My Life
“A beautiful story of family, forgiveness, life on an island, and growing up.”
—Kate Messner
This beautifully written, emotional debut perfect for fans of Lynda Mullaly Hunt or Ali Benjamin tells the story of a girl, her special needs brother, and the summer they will never forget.
Cat and her brother Chicken have always had a very special bond--Cat is one of the few people who can keep Chicken happy. When he has a "meltdown" she's the one who scratches his back and reads his favorite story. She's the one who knows what Chicken needs. Since their mom has had to work double-hard to keep their family afloat after their father passed away, Cat has been the glue holding her family together.
But even the strongest glue sometimes struggles to hold. When a summer trip doesn't go according to plan, Cat and Chicken end up spending three weeks with grandparents they never knew. For the first time in years, Cat has the opportunity to be a kid again. The journey she takes shows that even the most broken or strained relationships can be healed if people take the time to walk in one another's shoes.
Age range: 8-13
Grade level: 3-8
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
ISBN-10: 168119743X
ISBN-13: 978-1681197432
Art by Alisa Coburn, design by Jeanette Levy
An Indies Introduce selection
Indie Next Kids Top Ten for Spring 2019
★ Kirkus, starred review
★ Publishers Weekly, starred review
A Junior Library Guild selection
Parents Magazine Best Kids' Books 2019
Kirkus Best Middle-Grade Books of 2019
Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year, Outstanding Merit (2020)
Amazon Teachers' Pick
Texas Bluebonnet Award 2020-2021 Master List
Florida Sunshine State Young Readers Award List, 2020-2021
South Carolina Children's Book Award List 2020-2021
Georgia Children's Book Award List 2021
Kentucky Bluegrass Award List 2020-2021
Nebraska Golden Sower Award nominee, 2021-2022
Mississippi Magnolia Book Award Nominee 2022
Illinois's Bluestem Award Nominee, 2023
Sakura Medal List, 2023