Taking only what they can quickly pack, 11-year-old Mardella Houston and her mom secretly move away from her abusive, drug-dealing father to start a fresh life in the one-stoplight town of Haven, Minnesota. But Mardella's sure she's to blame-if only she hadn't dialed 911, none of this would be happening. Her dad wouldn't be in jail, her mom would still have her old job, Mardella would still have friends, and they wouldn't be starting over.
She knows she should be grateful that her mom's new job at Rest Haven Senior Living gives them a place to live-but the over-age-65 residence is a boring, run-down, funny smelling place. Even so, Mardella volunteers to make their new home as cheerful as possible. Through these colorful projects, she is surprised that she soon has new friends-of all ages. But when her father gets out of jail, angry and determined to find them, Mardella realizes she's made another terrible mistake-one that might destroy her chance at a new, happy life. This time it's up to her to fix everything and keep her mom and new friends safe.
This moving middle grade novel sensitively addresses a tough topic through the eyes of a preteen. It's a story about misplaced guilt, intergenerational friendships, and an unlikely found family as Mardella discovers her inner strength and the true meaning of home.
"From a dark and bruising past to a bright and colorful future, this story of found family and self-forgiveness is sure to touch your heart." - Silvia Acevedo, author of the award-winning God Awful series