Thin Space

Casella debuts with a moving story about a grieving teen whose search for closure is driven by the potential for, instead of the presence of, the supernatural. Marsh Windsor has spent months in an emotional coma since the car accident that killed his twin brother, Austin; he walks barefoot everywhere in hopes of finding a “thin space” where the living can converse with the dead, according to Celtic belief. Marsh’s focus on thin spaces and refusal to discuss them alienate him from his family, friends, and girlfriend; a new neighbor, Maddie, finally gives him someone to confide in. Maddie joins Marsh on his quest, hoping to meet her deceased father. While Casella seeds the story with enough clues that the plot twists aren’t all that surprising, she nails the emotional core of Marsh’s grief, slowly doling out flashbacks to the events leading up to the accident and creating near-perfect awkward, difficult conversations with family members, Marsh and Austin’s girlfriends, and other students who are equally heartbroken. Ages 12–up. Agent: Deborah Warren, East West Literary Agency. (Sept.)