The Secret of Clouds

This devastating novel from Richman (The Velvet Hours) revolves around a sixth grade teacher and her relationship with a sickly child whom she tutors. In 1999, Maggie Topper leaves the hustle and bustle of the New York public relations world to become a teacher on Long Island. In her second year, she’s asked to tutor Yuri Krasny, whose congenital heart condition forces him to spend his life in bed and in seclusion at home. Finding common ground in baseball, the two connect, and Maggie becomes increasingly enchanted by Yuri, whose positive attitude belies his serious illness. Throughout, the author brings in the backstory of Yuri’s Ukrainian immigrant parents—his delicate mother’s quashed ballet career, his father’s persecution for being Jewish in the U.S.S.R.—that resulted in the family moving to the U.S. Meanwhile, Maggie’s six-year relationship with college boyfriend Bill implodes just as Daniel, a charismatic new music teacher, joins the faculty of her school. Their inevitable relationship is predictable, but this tear-jerker is bolstered by Richman’s perspective on how teachers and students can learn from each other, resulting in a heartening tale. (Feb.)