Twelve-year-old Ember's trailer home has been burned in a fire set most likely by her best friend, a boy whose father believes Ember's family are witches. Yes, Ember's mom reads Tarot cards as a business. Ember's friend set the fire to warn the family before his dad did something worse to them. The friend never intended to do so much damage. Now the family is homeless, and living in a campground. They have no money. Ember's beloved dog is missing. School is going to start, and Ember and her sister have no clean clothes, no notebooks. The only place Ember feels at peace is floating in the middle of the lake at the campground. She has to make a fresh start. Can she?
"The book's lessons--the ability of family to persevere through hard times, the importance of not giving up--are worthy ones, and Dooley gives voice to an often overlooked group of children. Here's hoping this quiet story will be heard over the constant pinging of potential readers' iPhones."
The New York Times Book Review
"Offers messages about tolerance and understanding."
