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About The Book

“A tender novel about how negotiating fine lines—between friendship and a crush, between sadness and something crueler—is part of the mixed bag that is growing up.” —Shelf Awareness
“A sensitive story of family, friendship, and personal growth.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the author of If This Were a Story comes a heartfelt, coming-of-age novel about sisterhood, friendship, and the stories behind our journeys that connect us to one another.

Cassi has always been proud to be Puerto Rican, but when others comment on her appearance, telling her she doesn’t look like the rest of her family, Cassi begins to question everything.

At school, Cassi finds a distraction in the Math Olympics, where she is able to do what she loves and soon befriends Aaron, the new boy who tells her stories about all the tree towns he’s lived in. Just when everything seems to be getting better, a painful video goes viral and Cassi wonders if Mapleton is just another stop on Aaron’s list.

As the seasons change, Cassi must learn to solve the pieces of her life that are varied and emotional and at times, beautiful. And even when they don’t equate, reveal a rewarding answer.

About The Author

Photograph by Janelle Medeiros

Beth Turley is a graduate of the MFA in creative and professional writing program at Western Connecticut State University. She lives and writes in southeastern Connecticut, where the leaves changing color feels like magic and the water is never too far away. She is the author of If This Were a Story, The Last Tree Town, The Flyers, and This Close to Home. Visit her on Twitter @Beth_Turley.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (May 5, 2020)
  • Length: 272 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781534420663
  • Ages: 9 - 12

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Raves and Reviews

"A sensitive story of family, friendship, and personal growth."

– Kirkus Reviews

"Turley creates a cast of well-defined, often colorful characters and an intertwined set of relationships."

– Booklist

"Reminiscent of Meg Medina’s Newbery winner Merci Suarez Changes Gears (Candlewick 2018), this book takes a look at the importance of family, culture, and being true to yourself. Recommended."

– School Library Connection

"A tender novel about how negotiating fine lines—between friendship and a crush, between sadness and something crueler—is part of the mixed bag that is growing up.”

– Shelf Awareness

Awards and Honors

  • Kansas NEA Reading Circle List Junior Title
  • Mathical Book Prize Honor Book

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More books from this author: Beth Turley