The summer before Corinna starts eighth grade, the bottom falls out of her life. During a season when kids are enjoying vacations, camp, and hanging out by the pool, the thirteen-year-old's mother succumbs to a deadly disease. And now Corinna has to begin school and face a whole new set of hurdles. Her friends don't -- can't -- understand how and what she feels. People don't know the right thing to say, or worse, say exactly the wrong thing. Her father, caught up in his own grief, is unable to be there for his daughter. Her clothes are becoming too small and there is nobody to take her shopping. How Corinna will make it through a day, let alone the whole school year, she cannot imagine.
But, as the days turn into weeks, and the seasons change and change again, Corinna finds help and solace in unexpected places. The ache is always there, but she learns that she is not alone: there are other kids who have suffered a loss like hers, and sharing experiences begins the process of healing. The discovery of Corinna's mother's journal reveals details she never imagined, and becomes a treasure to the mourning teen. And when her father plans a special trip, Corinna knows that they are beginning to move beyond the hopelessness and despair of the past.
Carole Geithner's first novel tells the story of Corinna's journey from heartbreak to healing with sensitivity and just the right touch of humor. All the characters, from Corinna to her best friend Joci to the meddling Mrs. Simmons to kindly teacher Miss Beatty are true-to-life. Kids will empathize with Corinna and cheer for her every step of the way. Ages 12-15
Recommended by Barbara Karp, Librarian, New York, USA
