*A Junior Library Guild Selection*

From critically acclaimed author Ali Standish (The Ethan I Was Before), the story of one girl's journey to a magical seaside town, where she uncovers her family's long hidden secrets and ultimately finds truth and redemption.

Fans of Sharon Creech and Rebecca Stead will be captivated by this story filled with warm humor, mystery, whimsy, and characters you can't let go. A modern classic in the making!

For years, Miranda has stared at postcards of August Isle, Florida. The town where her mother spent her summers as a girl. The town that Miranda has always ached to visit. She just never wanted it to happen this way.

When she arrives on the Isle, alone and uncertain, to stay the summer with an old friend of her mother's, Miranda discovers a place even more perfect than she imagined. And she finds a new friend in Sammy, "Aunt" Clare's daughter.

But there is more to August Isle than its bright streets and sandy beaches, and soon Miranda is tangled in a web of mysteries. A haunted lighthouse. An old seafarer with something to hide. A name reaching out from her mother's shadowy past.

As she closes in on answers, Miranda must reckon with the biggest question of all: Is she brave enough to face the truth she might uncover?

“A beautifully written story. An emotional journey of family, friendship, loss, and healing.” —Kirkus

• Friendship and Bravery: When Miranda arrives on the island alone, she finds an unexpected friend in Sammy, who helps her find the courage to face her fears and the island’s secrets.
• Uncovering the Past: Armed with a handful of old postcards and a mysterious name from her mother’s childhood, Miranda sets out to discover what really happened on August Isle all those years ago.
• An Atmospheric Mystery: A haunted lighthouse, an old seafarer who isn’t what he seems, and a generations-old tragedy create a rich, atmospheric mystery perfect for middle grade readers.
• Mother Daughter Relationship: A heartfelt exploration of a complicated mother-daughter bond, perfect for fans of stories about grief, healing, and finding your way back to family.