Flor loves Moonpenny Island ~ especially when the summer people leave and all that are left are the true islanders.  Flor and her best friend, Sylvie, are the only 11-year olds on the island and that’s just fine with Flor.  They are perfect together.

As the summer between fifth and sixth grade comes to an end, changes begin happening … one after the other after the other.  Flor’s parents have been arguing more.  When Flor’s grandmother gets sick on the mainland, her mother leaves to care for her but  doesn’t come back.  Next, Sylvie’s parents decide to send her to school on the mainland and she’ll be staying with her aunt and uncle.  Now Flor is alone.  Worse, Sylvie really likes her new school and all the new opportunities she didn’t have on the island.  Finally Flor’s perfect student sister is acting less perfect.  Something’s up and Flor has a feeling it’s not anything good – there’s a secret and it might be a dangerous one.

Meanwhile a geologist and his peculiar daughter come to Moonpenny in search of trilobites  – one of the first creatures known to develop sight.  Flor realizes seeing and understanding can be more challenging than she had thought.  What it going on?   What is true?  What matters?  Flor’s search for answers helps her see more clearly and leads her toward a new understanding of what’s important.

I really like how Tricia Springstubb develops her characters.  Each one is polished and unique, while at the same time just like someone you know.  If you haven’t read her other books, give them a try.

Happy Reading!  📚