At 13, Nissa grapples with her sense of belonging as she leaves her Louisiana home, where she feels out of place with her father and stepmother. Seeking connection, she moves to Chicago to live with her eccentric mother. This journey explores themes of identity, family dynamics, and the quest for self-discovery amidst contrasting lifestyles.
Kyna struggles with her fear of water, haunted by the tragic loss of her sailing family during a storm. While her adoptive parents eagerly embrace aquatic activities, Kyna feels increasingly pressured as they spend the summer at a beach house on Lake Champlain. Unknown to her, the water holds secrets that will challenge her fears and reveal unexpected truths. Drawing inspiration from the legendary monster Champ, the story explores adolescent anxieties, family dynamics, and the enchanting mysteries beneath nature's surface.
Set in 1933 Louisiana, the story follows eleven-year-old Nissa as she grapples with her mother's mysterious disappearance. With her mother gone, the townspeople speculate about her fate, fueling Nissa's fears and memories of their time together. The narrative explores themes of childhood distress, loss, and the struggle to comprehend complex emotions. As Nissa navigates her feelings and the rumors surrounding her mother's absence, she embarks on a poignant journey of understanding and resilience.
Set against the backdrop of the 1918 influenza pandemic in a small coastal town in Maine, the story follows Lyza, who struggles to find her artistic identity amid personal tragedy. After losing her mother, she faces the challenge of protecting her eccentric father, who is at risk of being institutionalized due to his delusions about his deceased wife. As Lyza navigates grief and responsibility, she embarks on a journey to save her father while discovering her own creative potential.
Set in the antebellum South, the story follows 14-year-old Stella Reid as she grapples with the tragic loss of her father to murder and her mother to yellow fever. Facing the threat of losing her cherished home, Stella embarks on a courageous journey to protect her family's plantation. Despite the limited rights of both herself and the former slaves who work there, she demonstrates resilience and determination in the face of overwhelming challenges.
After breaking his leg, eleven-year-old Nate feels useless because he cannot work on the family farm in nineteenth-century Nebraska, so when his father brings home an orphan boy to help with the chores, Nate feels even worse.