Finding Normal

A devastating storm upsets every aspect of sixth grader Temple Baxter’s comforting life, inspiring her to make waves of her own, in this accessible, character-driven drama by Faris (the Gabby Ghost Hunter series). When flooding from a storm displaces her family, Temple is ousted from her private school’s popular clique. Lacking flood insurance to offset renovation costs, the Baxters move in with a neighbor and Temple transfers to public school to save money; at their temporary residence, she’s tasked with babysitting her three-year-old sister while their parents navigate home repairs. To turn “the absolute worst day of her life” around, Temple ambitiously plans a high-profile fundraising concert to benefit her family and others affected by the Moorestown flood—and to show up her former fair-weather friends. But new pals gradually impart lessons about acceptance, openness, and trust that evolve Temple’s self-serving agenda, while missteps—including slipping grades, childcare failures, and a booking error—emphasize the importance of delegation and teamwork. Though the third-person narration occasionally feels distant and some plot points strain credulity, themes of community, resilience, and youth empowerment buoy a sincere tale enriched by Faris’s personal experience as a flood survivor, as discussed in an author’s note. Main characters read as white. Ages 9–13. Agent: Natalie Lakosil, Looking Glass Literary & Media. (Feb.)