The Einsteins of Vista Point

Eleven-year-old Zack Einstein blames himself for the sudden death of his younger sister, Susan. After her passing, Zack and his family—including siblings Ruth, 13; Miriam, 15; and Ethan, 16—pursue a fresh start in Vista Point, Ore. Their parents plan to renovate a three-story Victorian-style mansion into a bed-and-breakfast, but the siblings would rather explore their new backyard’s sprawling landscape. Near the property stands a strictly off-limits abandoned tower where the Einsteins meet mysterious nine-year-old neighbor Ann. Together, the group explores the tower, decoding its cryptic carvings and attempting to communicate with an unknown party by using a flashlight to send messages in Morse code. Amid cheerful adventure, the siblings finally begin healing (“For the first time in months, Zack felt a little less unhappy”). Antonsson’s detailed and finely lined art, which includes a map and spot illustrations, provides intimate looks into pivotal scenes. Though the rest of the Einsteins don’t feel as richly characterized as protagonist Zack, Guterson (the Winterhouse trilogy) sensitively explores Zack’s journey toward self-forgiveness in this contemplative adventure featuring a captivating northwestern U.S. setting, a splash of the paranormal, and a tidy ending. The Einsteins are Jewish and white; supporting characters cue as white. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. (Apr.)