A standout debut…
Set in a quiet Connecticut town, Orbach’s heartfelt middle-grade novel follows three fourteen-year-olds as they face pressure, loss, and change—and discover that friendship might be the one thing they can count on. Cassidy is used to moving. Her mom’s latest dream, a struggling bakery, might mean another one. Becca’s chasing a spot on an elite riding team, but school, rivalry, and a confusing crush threaten to derail her. Lauren’s stuck in her sister’s shadow until her late father’s guitar helps her find her own voice.
Orbach paints adolescence in its true, complicated hues: awkwardness, yearning, and fear. Her depiction of friendship is especially strong, capturing both its fragility and potential for healing. Rather than leaning on melodrama, the novel draws power from the understated and deeply felt. Whether it’s Lauren’s discomfort at a family dinner, Becca’s determination to keep jumping, or Cassidy’s struggle to accept her mother’s choices, the story captures the messy, beautiful contradictions of being fourteen. Emotionally rich and skillfully written, this book will resonate deeply with tween and YA readers who are just beginning to make sense of who they are—and who they want to be.
Coming soon
