That Smudge of Smoke

After her mother dies suddenly, twelve-and-a-half year old



Penelope Grace Sinclair (Piper) must go live aboard a



steamboat captained by her father. Before she saw her



father only twice a month when he was off-duty. Now, she



must see him every day.







As Piper learns how to adjust to her father and grieve for her mother,



she also learns about life and work on a steamboat just before the



Great Depression.







To keep her company, Piper keeps a diary which she names



Dorie. Magically, Dorie comes alive and tells her side of the



story too. Until a mysterious accident happens that separates



Dorie and Piper, and all seems lost!







Then, in 2015, a boy named Garrett, who is struggling to



cope with his father's traumatic injury, finds Dorie. Garrett



reads Piper's story, bringing the past to life again. Because



of words and music, families discover that the power of



friendship can carry them through hard times.







For fans of Lauren Wolk (Beyond the Bright Sea) and



Natalie Babbit (Tuck Everlasting), That Smudge of Smoke



weaves together fantasy and history to create a



heartwarming read for middle-school audiences.