Reading Metrics
Description
After her mother and brother die in a car accident, thirteen-year-old Rachel has been shuttled from one bad foster family to another and is sent to a place that is a last resort for kids like her, a farm in the middle of nowhere.
Quick Summary
If you're looking for a middle-grade book that doesn't shy away from the hard stuff, this one really sticks with you. Rachel's story of losing her family and landing in a last-resort foster situation could easily go dark, but instead it becomes this surprising mix of heartache and hope with plenty of moments that feel real rather than overdone. Kids who connect with stories about finding family in unexpected places, or anyone who's ever felt like they don't quite fit in, will find something here that hits hard. The farm setting gives it a unique vibe compared to typical city-based foster stories, and Rachel's voice is stubborn and funny even when everything's falling apart. Parents should know it's emotionally heavy at times (grief, loss, foster system struggles) but ultimately lands in a place of healing and connection. It's a great fit for readers who loved "Mockingbird" by Kathryn Erskine or "The Great " thoughtful, character-driven books that give kids credit for handling tough topics.