Home Away From Home

Every summer, Mia and her mom visit Mia’s grandma in tiny Stone Harbor, Maine. This year Mia is going by herself. Her parents had divorced, and Mom and her boyfriend, Scott, are buying a new house and will move while Mia visits Grandma. Mia likes Scott okay, but she doesn’t like the idea of losing her home with all its memories. When Mia arrives at Grandma’s, she discovers Grandma has made friends with a boy, Cayman, just Mia’s age. He’s a little bossy, and Mia doesn’t like sharing Grandma with anyone. The kids discover a rare falcon in the harbor, and Mia posts a photo online in an effort to beat Cayman in finding out what it is, starting all kinds of trouble.

Cynthia Lord has written a very compelling story with rich characters and a wonderful setting. The writing is excellent, and the first-person point-of-view is a great way for Mia to tell her own story. The voice is pitch-perfect for an eleven-year-old girl. The relationship between Mia and her grandmother is very sweet, and the grandmother is a terrific character who really helps Mia grow during the story. This is a winner.