Geo's Fortune

Mucha, Amy. Geo's Fortune. 2025. 272p. ISBN 9781682636718.

At 13, Geo has lived with her goth mother her whole life. Her father died when she was very young, so ever since then it's been the two of them against the world. When her mother needs to secure employment to avoid foreclosure on the house, Geo suddenly sees that her life could change irrevocably, since her mother cannot find work locally. With a move on the horizon, Geo is in urgent need of money, so she decides to start a fortune-telling business with her best friend Lana. Using Lana's rock collection as props, Geo launches herself into interpreting what the rocks say about people who pick them, despite having no belief in psychic powers or knowledge of rocks and crystals. Geo is content to offer fake fortunes to anyone willing to pay, prioritizing quick cash over genuine mystical abilities. 

However, Geo's seemingly harmless scheme takes an unexpected turn when her fabricated predictions begin to mysteriously come true. Her friends quickly become convinced of her psychic abilities, a notion Geo desperately tries to refute. She firmly believes in logic and dismisses concepts like psychic powers, healing energies, or manifesting. Now, she's left questioning her own beliefs as her fake fortunes manifest into reality, challenging her rational worldview. Can Geo figure out what is happening to her before she goes too far?

A delightful tale, all of the characters in Geo's Fortune are realistically portrayed. Geo is insecure but knows how to get things done. Lana doesn't want to lose her best friend. Feather is spacey and out there, but she brings a passion and an explanation to the story. Fans of friendship stories will appreciate Geo's efforts to avoid moving and start a new life elsewhere.

The Trouble with Heroes

Messner, Kate. The Trouble with Heroes. 2025. 368p. ISBN 9781547616398.

Finn Connelly, a struggling seventh-grader, feels overshadowed by the heroic legacy of his late father, a star athlete and firefighter who died two years prior. Finn's life takes an unexpected turn when he's caught on camera vandalizing a cemetery, specifically kicking down the headstone of a legendary local mountain climber. Instead of punishment, the climber's daughter offers Finn an unusual proposition: if he climbs all forty-six Adirondack High Peaks with her deceased mother's dog, his debt will be considered paid.

Over the course of three months, Finn embarks on a journey filled with misadventures, muddy trails, and surprising mentors. As he conquers each peak, the expansive views offer him clarity, slowly helping him understand himself and his father better. However, the mountains hold their own challenges, and with September approaching, Finn faces a final summit that proves to be a formidable test, potentially exceeding even a hero's capabilities.

In the Trouble with Heroes, Finn comes to terms with his father's death, and learns forgiveness and letting go. Fans of redemption stories will love to read about Finn growing up and gaining valuable insights about his own life.

Candle Island

Wolk, Lauren. Candle Island. 2025. 352p. ISBN 9780593698549.

Lucretia and her mother seek refuge on the secluded Candle Island, Maine, hoping to find solace from the lingering trauma of her father's death and the relentless attention of the media surrounding her renowned artist mother. The island's rugged beauty and the calming rhythm of the ocean provide a welcome change for Lucretia, who spends her summer immersed in painting, exploring the unfamiliar landscape, and nurturing an orphaned osprey chick. This quiet existence offers a temporary reprieve from their grief and the pressures of their former life.

However, Candle Island holds its own mysteries that soon begin to entangle Lucretia. A concealed room within their new home and an angry girl named Murdoch are the first strange things Lucretia discovers. She then becomes mesmerized by the enigmatic presence of a boy with a captivating voice, which pique sher curiosity and draws her into the island's hidden depths. Much like the powerful tides that shape the coastline, these secrets and new connections inevitably pull Lucretia into their current, challenging her to confront her own emotions and discover the strength of her own voice amidst loss, art, and the complexities of human relationships.

The City of Lost Cats

Lloyd Kyi, Tanya. The City of Lost Cats. 2025. 288p. ISBN 9781774882108.

Fiona, struggling to adjust to life with her distant Aunt Tanis and her slimy boyfriend Dex after her parents' death, finds solace in an abandoned mansion filled with stray cats and birds. She discovered the mansion while skipping on summer dance classes. When the mansion is threatened with demolition, Fiona is determined to save it, seeing it as a symbol of finding a safe home, a feeling she deeply understands. However, the mansion's feline residents, led by the self-proclaimed "King" Cot, and prowling black cat Piper, have their own agenda, suspecting the newly arrived birds are behind the demolition threat.

As the demolition begins, Fiona seeks help throughout her community while the cats clash over their preferred methods of dealing with the situation. Cot wants to expel the birds, while Piper believes she can intimidate the demolition team. The birds, meanwhile, simply long to return to their original home. Fiona realizes that saving "The City" will require more than just her efforts; she must unite the disparate animals and rally her community to stop the luxury condo development and create a better future for everyone.

Slip

McCoola, Marika and Aatmaja Pandya, Illustrator. Slip. 2022. 208p. ISBN 9781616207892. Available on the graphic novels section of the library.

Jade's plans for a summer of intensive art camp that could lead to a college scholarship are abruptly derailed when her best friend, Phoebe, attempts suicide, forcing Jade to grapple with guilt and responsibility. Despite her emotional turmoil, Jade attends the Art Farm, where she finds artistic fulfillment and forms a budding romantic connection with the free-spirited Mary. Jade channels her anxieties and insecurities into her ceramic creations, crafting monstrous figures that serve as physical manifestations of her inner struggles.

However, Jade's attempt to compartmentalize her problems takes a surreal turn when her ceramic monsters come to life, demanding that she confront her unresolved issues. These living creatures force Jade to acknowledge the emotional baggage she's been avoiding, including the fear of losing Phoebe. Jade's journey becomes a blend of artistic exploration and emotional reckoning, as she learns that ignoring her problems only allows them to manifest in more tangible and disruptive ways.

Brownstone

Teer, Samuel and Mar Julia. Brownstone. 2024. 320p. ISBN 9780358394747. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Almudena, raised by her white mother, finds herself spending an unexpected summer with her Guatemalan father, Xavier, whom she's never truly known. Left behind while her mother travels, she's thrust into a world vastly different from her own, living in Xavier's dilapidated brownstone and struggling to bridge the language gap created by his fluent Spanish and her own lack of English. As she tries to acclimate to her new surroundings, Almudena is introduced to the vibrant, diverse Latin American community that surrounds her father.

Within this community, Almudena encounters a range of perspectives and expectations, as residents grapple with their own personal struggles and offer unsolicited advice on how she should embrace her Latina identity. Some question her lack of cultural knowledge, while others deem her "not brown enough." Despite these challenges, Almudena and Xavier attempt to forge a connection during their limited time together, discovering that their shared history and the bonds of family may lie in uniting the diverse elements of their community. While repairing the physical structure of the brownstone is a tangible task, building a family from these disparate individuals proves to be a more complex and time-sensitive endeavor.

Beautifully illustrated and featuring plenty of clever one liners, Brownstone will warm your heart as Almudena learns and discovers what it means to be of two worlds. 

Sunshine: How One Camp Taught Me About Life, Death, and Hope

Krosoczka, Jarrett. Sunshine: How One Camp Taught Me About Life, Death, and Hope. 2023. 240p. ISBN 9781338356328. Avaialble at B KRO on the library shelves.

Sunshine recounts the author's transformative experience as a high school camp counselor at Camp Sunshine, a haven for seriously ill children and their families. The camp bills itself as a space where individuals can find freedom from the constraints of their illnesses, fostering a sense of community and shared experience. Initially apprehensive about the somber nature of the camp, Jarrett discovers a vibrant community brimming with resilience and hope. Instead of the expected despair, he encounters extraordinary children and dedicated counselors who face their challenges with unwavering determination. He participates in typical camp activities, from wilderness adventures to campfire stories, while also witnessing the profound impact of a safe and supportive environment on those facing life-altering illnesses.

Through his interactions with the campers and fellow counselors, Jarrett gains a deeper understanding of the struggles associated with chronic illness, but more importantly, he witnesses the power of human connection and the strength of the human spirit. Jarrett shares his personal journey, introducing readers to the remarkable individuals who profoundly influenced his life and reshaped his perspective on resilience and hope.

The Other Side of Infinity

Smith, Joan F. The Other Side of Infinity. 2023. 336p. ISBN 9781250843388.

When seventeen-year-old December, who possesses the unique ability to foresee the future, intervenes to save a drowning man named Nick during a poolside incident, she inadvertently alters the course of both their lives. Not only does this unexpected act lead to a burgeoning romance between the two, but December also foresees that Nick's life is now in danger. This realization forces December, who has always avoided deep connections due to her precognitive abilities, to embark on a mission to protect Nick, while also navigating the complexities of a newfound love.

Simultaneously, Nick, grappling with the shame of his initial hesitation during the rescue, seeks to redeem himself by helping December search for her missing mother. As their bond deepens, December's precognitive visions become increasingly erratic, and unsettling truths about Nick's family begin to surface. Both characters must confront their fears, learn to trust their instincts, and ultimately discover the true meaning of heroism before time runs out and the consequences of December's actions become irreversible.

Behind the Mask

Girardi, Tamara. Behind the Mask. Book 2 of the Carnivalesque series. 2023. 294p. ISBN 9781953944887.

This summer before Dinah's senior year is shaping up to be dreadful. She broke up with her boyfriend Todd. Todd cheated on her numerous times, but the last time, done in front of people, was the last straw. Unfortunately, Todd lives next door, and her bedroom window looks at his bedroom window. And her parents and his parents are best friends. How can she explain this situation to them, when they think that Todd and Dinah were destined to be together? Worse, Todd is not over this breakup and keeps trying to get her back. She feels hounded down by her neighbor.

Her best friend Max had driven their career agenda for as long as she could remember. Max has known she wanted to be a journalist all her life, and Dinah went along mainly out of atrophy. But now she's becoming serious about her artistic abilities, and her goal is to go to art school and one day be hired to paint a mural. When she finally attends the famous masked Carnivalesque one night with Max, who has a seat on the planning board of the organization, Dinah meets the charismatic Harvey, a smooth talker who loves the dating game but who has made many female enemies along the way due to his poor treatment of his dates. 

As Harvey and Dinah dance, they are interrupted by a gaggle of Harvey's exes, who throw milkshakes at him before dropping water balloons as additional punishment. Harvey needs help to remediate his dating profile, and Dinah agrees to pretend to be his girlfriend. If they can fake date for long enough, Harvey should regain some credibility, and Dinah should be able to avoid Todd's more and more insistent demands that they be together again. And, as a bonus, Dinah can design and pain Carnivalesque's new ride, a merry-go-round. The only rule? If they ever feel like they are falling for each other, they need to voice their feelings. After all, Dinah has seen enough rom-coms to know this could happen.

As the two of them successfully fool their friends, the social media pressure on Harvey builds up, Dinah becomes involved with the drama, but gets to focus on his art. With days passing by, Dinah finds herself falling for Harvey, just in time for Harvey's ex to enter the picture. Is Dinah too late?

Pardilita

Estrela, Joana. Pardilita. 2023. 244p. ISBN 9781646142552.

Life in a small town can be painful when you're a teen, whether you're in the United States or in another country. Everybody knows everyone else, and people have their noses in your business all the time. Raquel is 16, and she yearns for more. Her parents went through an acrimonious divorce, and her father recently remarried. Feeling sensitive about the topic, she gets very angry at a paraprofessional at her school when she's questioned about her father's new bride, and as a result she is suspended from school. Raquel's best friends, Luísa and Fred, are very supportive, but they can't seem to cheer her up. Raquel wants more from life than what her town can offer.

Joining a play, Raquel makes the acquaintance of Pardalita, a senior she's seen before but never interacted with. Pardalita is brash, bold, colorful, and artistic. The two of them hit it off very quickly, and soon Raquel is head over heels for Pardalita. But Pardalita is leaving town to attend university in Lisbon in the fall, and Raquel will be left behind along. Fortunately, there's a whole summer to go through before that happens, so Raquel will live life to the fullest, ensuring that each and every day spent with Pardalita is the best one yet!

Told through poems, illustrations, and graphic novel vignette, the story of Raquel and Pardalita beautifully portrays teenage angst and the desires, effects, and repercussions of a first love. Readers who are looking for an experience that is both sad and joyful will appreciate Pardalita and its real-life representation of formative teenage years.

Remember Us

Woodson, Jacqueline. Remember Us. 2023. 192p. ISBN 9780399545467.

Old buildings in Sage's neighborhood are going up in flames the summer following her 6th grade. Sage loves basketball, and she would rather shoot hoops with the guys than spend time with the girls she has known her whole life. Except, it seems like relationships between boys and girls are now changing, and Sage feels at a disadvantage. And with so many fires happening, Sage is worried her home is next. When Freddy moves into the neighborhood, Sage is thrilled to finally have a friend that gets her.

As they spend time on the court and hanging out, they observe their neighborhood and how quickly it seems to be changing. Sage is better than most of the boys on the court, but a bully steals her ball and makes her question herself, Sage does not tell Freddy. Is she an athlete, someone who excels at basketball, or is she a girl, someone who wears makeup and fusses with her hair. Sage questions her identity, wondering where she fits in this expanding universe.

When a fire destroys a nearby home and kills one of her friends, Sage and Freddy are there for each other. As summer comes to a close, and as Sage prepares to move to a new home away from the neighborhood and its fires, she must come to terms that the future is never static, and the only constant is change. 

Focused on daily life and memories, Remember Us nevertheless explores universal truths about identity and remembering, effectively conveying the many transitions Sage finds herself in. Fans of growing up novels will appreciate this short poetic read.

Miss Quinces

Fajardo, Kat. Miss Quinces. 2022. 256p. ISBN 9781338535587. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

There's nothing Suyapa would love more than to go to camp with her friends this summer. Unfortunately, she's heading to Honduras to visit her extended family. Before departing for the summer, the comic club at school has given everyone the assignment to create a comic over the summer. But Suyapa is not inspired at all. If she was at sleepaway camp with her friends, maybe she's have some ideas, but now that she's in Honduras, what is she supposed to illustrate? Her own boring life, in the middle of nowhere with no Internet and no cellphone service?

Being the middle daughter of three daughters means that Suyapa is annoyed both by an older sister and by a younger sister. Her cousins are even more of a handful. When Suyapa thinks life cannot get any worse, she realizes that her mother has been planning a quinceañera for her, with frilly clothes and lots of pink. Both of these things are definitively not Suyapa, so now she feels ambushed. 

Suyapa's grandmother helps her gain a new perspective on life, and her sudden death reinforces the idea that she should in fact go through her quinceañera, but on her own terms. And, perhaps this summer vacation spent with her family does in fact make an excellent comic for the comic club!

Fun an engaging, Suyapa's tales of woes having to perform activities she has no interest in are entirely relatable. The images are crisp, well defined, and very colorful. Fans of graphic novels should give this one a read, they will thoroughly enjoy it!

Friends Like These

Rosoff, Meg. Friends Like These. 2022. 320p. ISBN 9781774881101.

In the summer of 1983 and fresh out of high school, Beth scores the perfect internship. She joins the crew of one of New York City's most prestigious newspaper as an intern, learning the business from the inside. But life in New York City is expensive, the city is hot and dirty, her lodgings with her sister and her boyfriend, who are fighting all the time and obviously on the way to a nasty breakup, are cramped, and Beth has lost her reference points. New York feels like it will suck her soul out. 

Thankfully, Beth meets Edie, a Jewish girl with a larger than life personality. Edie has met everyone that is anyone, she knows where all of the good parties take place, and she is very experienced sexually, unlike Beth who has yet to be kissed. She also meets Daniel and Oliver, two boys who loom large in Edie's life. 

Through one hot and sweaty summer, Beth learns what it is like to become an adult. She has to navigate drama, relationships, work, and family as she learns more about herself, her wants and desires, and where she hopes to go. 

The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto

Cuevas, Adrianna. The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto. 2023. 304p. ISBN 9780374390433.

Rafa's mother was recently diagnosed with cancer, and she hasn't been the same since treatments started. She's always tired, and Rafa has been told more than once by his father that he needs to give her space. But Rafa is worried she might die soon, and he wishes that he could cast a spell on her to remove the sickness, just like his characters in his favorite roleplaying game, The Forgotten Age. Unfortunately, real life is not like a book. 

On their way out of school for summer vacation, Rafa and his friends are convinced by their Game Master to perform a live Forgotten Age adventure by freeing the slushy machine from their school cafeteria. Caught by the principal, Rafa finds himself in trouble with his father. As punishment, his father sends Rafa away to work on a ranch in New Mexico, where he will hopefully learn personal responsibility. 

Missing his mother and worried she's getting sicker, Rafa doesn't really want to be in New Mexico. He meets Jennie Kim, the daughter of the ranch's librarian, and soon the two of them become friends. Rafa notices a man in a green sweater hovering in the background, and a series of incidents seem to point to Rafa as the culprit, as if he was trying to get himself kicked out of the ranch. The incidents lead to an accident where Rafa and Jennie are stuck in a cave that was intentionally collapsed. Other strange events are also taking place. The horses are changing color. A picture with Jennie's father has changed.  Books in Portuguese appear in the library. Are these strange events caused by one or more ghosts?

As Rafa and Jennie attempt to solve the mystery, the man in the green sweater is getting bolder, and a confrontation is all but certain. Can Rafa and Jennie resolve the threat before it is too late? A fast read that incorporates elements of roleplaying games, fans of mystery will appreciate Rafa's struggles to defend himself and his attachment to his mother.

Honor Girl

Trash, Maggie. Honor Girl. ISGN 9780763687557. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Now 15, Maggie has spent every summer at Camp Bellflower for Girls. From Atlanta, Maggie travels to the heart of Appalachia and enjoys the amenities that camp offers, from arts and crafts to archery and shooting. This year is harder than most, however. Being a teen is hard, and being attracted to girls is even harder. Maggie has never been kissed, and she finds herself attracted to Erin, a talented camp counselor. She's also in competition to complete the distinguished expert gun certification. 

Maggie's nascent feelings for Erin threaten both the stability of camp life and her own attitude towards life. Camp expects conformity, but Maggie is finding it increasingly difficult to stay within the boundaries of what is considered "normal." Can Maggie discover her voice and explain how she feels about Erin and her life?

Mississippi Trial, 1955

Crowe, Chris. Mississippi Trial, 1955. 2002. 240p. ISBN 9780142501924.

Hiram grew up in the Mississippi delta, in the town of Money. Born right before the Second World War, Hiram stayed with his grandparents while his father went to fight, and then remained there when, upon his demobilization, he headed north to learn how to become a teacher. Hiram's father and his grandfather never saw eye to eye about the value of the culture in the Mississippi delta, and Hiram never understood why they couldn't get along.

The family eventually moved to Arizona, and for years Hiram dreamt of returning to Money. But every year his father would say no. In 1955, his grandfather had a heart attack, so his father reluctantly agreed to let Hiram, now sixteen, return to Money for the summer to help out. Having been gone for almost a decade, Hiram noticed that things had not changed much in the delta. The landmarks were the same, the people were the same. But then he began to notice that African-Americans were still being berated and oppressed. 

That summer, Hiram reconnected with R.C., an acquaintance, and his sister Naomi, whom Hiram liked. He also met Emmett Till, an African-American boy from Chicago spending his summer here. Hiram thought nothing of talking with the boy, but R.C. had a fit and almost beat Emmett to death. When Emmett was accused of touching a White woman, R.C. made threats, and Hiram reported them to the sheriff. When Emmett went missing, and was eventually found dead, Hiram was questioned by the sheriff on the role R.C. might have played.

Hiram was cited as a witness, and attended court with his grandfather, but was never called to testify. Though the two men who had killed Emmett were identified, a third remained at large, and Hiram worried it was R.C. When he learned that his grandfather was involved, Hiram suddenly understood why his father and his own father were estranged. For Hiram, this revelation changed his life, as he learned that doing the right thing can sometimes end friendships, or even family relations.

Never Look Back

Rivera, Lilliam. Never Look Back. 2020. 320p. ISBN 9781547603732. 

Originally from Puerto Rico, Eury and her mother fled the island following Hurricane Maria, when their home was destroyed. Ever since she was very young, Eury has been accompanied by a spirit, Ato, that no one else can see, but who can bring destruction on those she loves. Ato wants Eury to come and live with him in his paradise, and he has been making his life miserable, even suggesting that he was responsible for the hurricane. Moving first to Tampa, Eury continues to be plagued by Ato, so her mother moves again, this time to the Bronx. For a while, Eury is content, and Ato seems to have lost her.

Pheus is a skilled musician, who loves nothing more than to entertain others with his music, and to chase girls. When he meets Eury while she stays with her cousin Penelope, Pheus instantly falls for the lovely girl with the brooding mood. As he gets to know Eury, Pheus realizes she's literally plagued by an actual demon. Wishing to help her, Pheus becomes embroiled in a battle that no human should survive.

A modern adaptation of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, Never Look Back examines what it means to internalize trauma, and how others can help. Fans of fighting against the odds will appreciate these two characters and how they helped each other.

Salty, Bitter, Sweet

Cuevas, Mayra. Salty, Bitter, Sweet. 2020. 320p. ISBN 9780310769774.

Born of a Cuban-American father and a French mother, Isabella Fields has focused her entire life on cooking. An amazing cook and baker in her own right, Isabelle has won the right to participate in a summer competition designed to select next year's apprentice to world-renowned Chef Pascal Grattard. At seventeen, Isabella is traveling to France to spend the summer with her father, who divorced her mother last year following a torrid love affair with another French woman, and who is now expecting a baby. On top of grieving for the loss of her family, she's also mourning the death of her beloved grandmother, her father's mother. An exile from Cuba, her abuela taught her everything she knows about cooking and instilled in her a passion for the delicious.

In France, she's one of 13 competitors. She makes fast friend with the two other girls, but the guys studiously avoid all three of them. Chef Croissant supervises the competition, and Isabella is quick to run afoul of the myriad rules that govern the kitchen's operations. At her dad, she meets her pregnant stepmother's former stepchild, a hot Spaniard with a lovable albino bulldog. She finds him annoying and full of himself, but that doesn't seem to prevent her from falling for him. 

With eveyrthing that happening with her and around her, can Isabella focus long enough to earn the prestigious internship she has always wanted? Filled with memorable characters and a well-developed stories, readers who enjoy romance and cooking are about to be served a wonderful story about being true to oneself and question one's own desires and motives. Fans of books like Once and For All and P.S. I Love You will love Isabella and her trials and tribulations

Burn Baby Burn

Medina, Meg. Burn Baby Burn. 2016. 310p. ISBN 9780763674670. Available at FIC MED on the library shelves.

In 1977, a serial killer is plying the streets of New York, looking for victims. Nora Lopez is seventeen, and she doesn't think she's going to survive another year in the city. The winter was colder than average. The summer was sweltering. Power failed and blackout roiled the city. But at home Nora must contend with a single mother whose hours are being cut, a brother who hooked up with a criminal gang, and a distant father who remarried and consistently forgets to send a child support check. Nora's mother doesn't recognize that her son has issues, and refuses to seek help as she hopes he will grow out of it. With all of the bad things happening in her life, Nora sure can't tell Kathleen, her best friend, about how bad her life really is right now.

Lucky for her, there's a bright spot in her life. She works at Sanerlo's Deli, where the owners treat her well, and the new employee is both cute and in college. Soon, Nora connects with Pablo, but just like Kathleen, she can't afford to let him know the real her and burden him with what's happening at home. 

As the serial killer, dubbed Son of Sam by the media, is still out there, searching for victims, Hector continues his life of petty vandalism and escalates to pyromania, which endangers all of the residents of the building, and threatens her relationship with Pablo. Faced with an impossible choice between her brother and her life, Nora will need to decide whether it's time to fan the flames or extinguish the fire.

Hello, Universe

 Kelly, Erin Entrada. Hello, Universe. 2017. 320p. 317mins. ISBN 9780062414151. Available as an audiobook from Overdrive.

Virgil Salinas lives a quiet life. Unlike his athletic brothers, Virgil is not in sports, and not very coordinated. In fact, Virgil has trouble doing his multiplication tables, so he spends some of his school time in the Resources room where he receives support. Valencia Somerset also comes to the Resources room, but issue is that she's deaf, and even the hearing aids don't help her much. Virgil wishes he was courageous enough to talk to Valencia, but being shy, he can't muster it. Instead, he tells his guinea pig Gulliver all about the girl of his dreams.

Chet Bullens is the school bully, and he enjoys picking on quiet Virgil. He'd pick on Valencia too, but deaf people give him the creeps. Chet would love nothing more than to make the basketball team, but he knows it's unlikely he will. Kaori Tanaka, for her part, knows she has psychic abilities. She can tell the future through star charts and astrological signs. Her friend Virgil often uses her services to divine more information about Valencia.

On the day Virgil makes an appointment with Kaori, everything changes. Chet encounters Virgil in the woods by chance, and he throws Virgil's backpack down an empty well. The backpack contains Gulliver, so Virgil goes into the well to save his guinea pig. Valencia, who was also on her way to Kaori's house to get a reading done, meets Chet, covers the well with its lid so animals don't fall in there, and heads to her appointment. Even though Virgil yelled and yelled, Valencia did not hear him. Kaori, meanwhile, is concerned that Virgil didn't show up for his appointment.

When Virgil is reported missing, the girls begin looking for him. What begins as a search mission turns into a rescue mission, a friendship, and newfound courage to stand up to bullies and parents. 

Four individual perspectives move the story forward as Virgil, Valencia, Chet, and Kaori all deal with challenges and doubts about their lives. As Kaori knows, however, the universe always helps those who help themselves, so in the course of an afternoon all of them will learn valuable life lessons.