South of Somewhere

STARRED REVIEW! "Precise, subtle details and complete emotional honesty bring these characters to life from the first page."—Kirkus Reviews starred review

"A charming entry in the crowded middle grade contemporary field."—School Library Journal

The unforgettable tale of a girl, her maybe-criminal mom, her babysitting business, and her pet pineapple.

When FBI agents swarm twelve-year-old Mavis Callahan's downtown Chicago home, her mom goes on the run. With the family’s house and bank accounts seized, Mavis’s dad takes her and her siblings to seek refuge with his sister just south of rural Somewhere, Illinois—a far cry from the big city lifestyle Mavis is used to. As Mavis grapples with her sudden turn in fortune, she learns to make new friends and starts a babysitting business to bring in some much-needed cash for the family. But she can’t help but wonder—is her mom truly guilty? And if not, why has she gone into hiding, contacting Mavis only through a series of postcards from exotic locales? Mavis isn’t sure if she’s ready for the truth, but she’ll do anything to find it.