My Room for Rent

Everything changes for Justin the day he comes home from sixth grade and finds that his mother, a popular local news anchor, moved out to chase after a new life. Heartbroken and hurt, he and his father are left with the luxury home in their exclusive gated community. But all they really want is Mom. Without her 6-figure salary, Dad decides to rent out rooms in a desperate attempt to keep the house in case she decides to come back.

As each day passes without Mom’s return, Justin’s life only gets crazier. To cover up the chaos, Justin ends up keeping secrets, lying to his best friend and all the while wondering, ‘Why did Mom leave us? Was it my fault? Didn’t she love me?’

When he finally unravels the mystery of where Mom went and why, he learns that “normal” might be taking on a whole meaning for him.

Note to parents: This book deals with the issue of separation and divorce from the child’s point of view. The mother’s choice is presented in an age appropriate way, with her moving to be near her new romance but not moving in with him, with plans for eventual marriage.