North of Nowhere
In Kessler's (the Emily Windsnap series) seaswept novel, a mysterious disappearance leads 13-year-old Mia to uncover a long-held family secret. When Mia's grandfather suddenly goes missing, she grudgingly gives up time with her friends to accompany her mother to her grandparents' fishing village hometown, so they can help Mia's grandmother. Mia resigns herself to boring, gloomy days in Porthaven with no cell phone or Internet connection. But when she happens upon an abandoned fishing boat-and a secret diary tucked inside-she embarks on a time-bending journey. As days pass, Mia exchanges notes with the diary's owner, a girl named Dee; what Mia doesn't realize is that her notes are traveling back in time 50 years. Kessler uses this device to explore Porthaven's history, while untangling the reasons behind Grandad's disappearance and the magic that sets the events of the story in motion. Despite some murky logic, the plucky fantasy-adventure hums along with genuine contemporary characters at the helm. Ages 9-12. Agent: Catherine Clarke, Felicity Brian Literary Agency.--This text refers to an alternateHardcoveredition.