See You on a Starry Night

A looming divorce’s strain on a family forms the dramatic tension in this realistic and ultimately hopeful tale of a girl finding the courage to embrace unexpected change. Following her parents’ separation, 11-year-old Juliet is out of sorts when she has to move to a beach cottage with her mother and sister, leaving behind her father, her best friend, her favorite school librarian, and a big bedroom. In just a week, she’ll be the new girl in a school where the other kids might not understand her penchant for making lists or her passion for messy art projects and the work of Vincent van Gogh. Luckily, Juliet’s anxious ruminations are interrupted by perky, welcoming Emma, a new neighbor who invites Juliet to join her in writing messages in a bottle and tossing them out to sea. When Juliet gets a reply to her note, she and Emma become absorbed in a kindness-inspired challenge proposed by the mystery responder. Though the story has a too-tidy ending, Schroeder (Keys to the City) offers solid character portraits and a reassuring tone that draws readers into Juliet’s journey as she navigates her jumbled feelings, gains self-confidence and friends, and opens up to her evolving family dynamic. Ages 8–12. [em]Agent: Sara Crowe, Pippin Properties. (June) [/em]