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A note for parents
Candle Island is a lyrical, character-driven story about grief and healing following a tragic car accident that killed the protagonist's father. While the loss is central to the narrative, the book focuses on art, connection, and resilience rather than dwelling on trauma. The writing is literary and contemplative, making it best suited for middle-grade readers who can appreciate emotional depth and complex relationships. This is an excellent choice for thoughtful readers interested in contemporary family stories and nature.
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From the publisher
A moving portrait of loss and the restorative power of art from Newbery Honor-winner Lauren Wolk, author of Wolf Hollow and Beyond the Bright Sea. Now in paperback! * “Readers who enjoy good writing for its own sake and meeting characters who feel like friends by story’s end will revel in losing themselves on Candle Is... A moving portrait of loss and the restorative power of art from Newbery Honor-winner Lauren Wolk, author of Wolf Hollow and Beyond the Bright Sea. Now in paperback! * “Readers who enjoy good writing for its own sake and meeting characters who feel like friends by story’s end will revel in losing themselves on Candle Island.″ –Booklist, starred review Lucretia Sanderson has a secret. Lucretia and her mother have come to tiny Candle Island, Maine (Population: Summer, 986; Winter, 315) to escape—escape memories of the car accident that killed her father and escape the journalists that hound her mother, a famous and reclusive artist. The rocky coast and ocean breeze are a welcome respite for Lucretia, who dedicates her summer days to painting, exploring the island, and caring for an orphaned osprey chick. But Candle Island has secrets of its own—a hidden room in her new house, a mysterious boy with a beautiful voice—and just like the strong tides that surround the shores, they will catch Lucretia in their wake. With an unforgettable New England setting and a complex web of relationships old and new, Candle Island is a powerful story about art, loss, and the power of being true to your own voice.
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- Juvenile Fiction
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ISBN 9780593698563 · Penguin Group