Soft Place to Land

In this compelling and heartfelt mystery story, Janae Marksauthor of the acclaimed bestselling From the Desk of Zoe Washingtonfollows a young girl reshaping her meaning of home. Perfect for fans of Erin Entrada Kelly and Rebecca Stead. Two starred reviews! A Project Lit Club Book Club Selection, SL Lead Title, Banks Street Best Children's Books of the Year, and Kids' Indie Next List Pick! Joyful. A book that kids will love.Rebecca Stead, Newbery Medal-winning author ofWhen You Reach MeJoy Taylor has always believed home is the house she lived in her entire life. But then her dad lost his job, and suddenly,homebecomes a tiny apartment with thin walls, shared bedrooms, and a place for tense arguments between Mom and Dad. Hardest of all, Joy doesnt have her music to escape through anymore. Without enough funds, her dreams of becoming a great pianistand one day, a film score composerhave been put on hold.A friendly new neighbor her age lets Joy in on the complexs best-kept secret: the Hideout, a cozy refuge that only the kids know about. And its in this little hideaway that Joy starts exchanging secret messages with another kid in the building who also seems to be struggling, untilabruptly, they stop writing back. What if theyre in trouble?Joy is determined to find out who this mystery writer is, fast, but between trying to raise funds for her music lessons, keeping on a brave face for her little sister, and worrying about her parents marriage, Joy isnt sure how to keep her own head above water.'Squeezes your heart in such a special way.'Lisa Moore Rame, author ofA Good Kind of TroubleandSomething to SayReaders will find hope inJoys courage, ingenuity, and fierce dedication to her friends.Kate Messner, author ofBreakoutandChirpA timely story about connection, loss and the spaces we need to understand one and brave the other.Paula Chase, author ofDough Boys andSo Done