Author(s): Katya Balen

Middle School (Ages 11-14)

This is the story of Tom and Zofia. Tom is quiet and careful and is only just starting to feel safe, even though his dad has been in jail for nearly two years now. Zofia is the opposite. Inside her there's a storm that's always raging and it makes her want to run and shout and fight the whole world to make it give her what she wants. What she wants most is for boring, babyish scaredy cat Tom to get out of her life. And Tom can't think of anyone he likes less than loud, unpredictable Zofia. But Tom and his mum are moving into the little cottage by the sea where Zofia and her Dad live. Because Tom's mum and Zofia's dad are in love, and they're having a baby. Tom and Zofia both wish with all of their hearts that the stupid baby had never happened. But then, as Tom's mum gets more and more ill, it begins to look like their wish might come true. This is a story of learning to trust, learning to let go and diving into the unknown with hope in your heart from the author of THE SPACE WE'RE IN and OCTOBER, OCTOBER.