This Is the Story of You

Having a younger brother with Hunter syndrome is hard on Mira Banul and her mother, Mickey, who works multiple jobs to pay for Jasper Lee’s treatments and necessities for the cottage they inherited from Mira’s aunt on the barrier island of Haven. Though 17-year-old Mira loves her family, she wishes life were simpler for them—a wish she regrets when a hurricane pummels the island while her mother and brother are on the mainland. Using her forward thinking and bravery, Mira survives the storm and joins the trash-strewn beach with its collection of islanders reeling after half the town is washed away. Days from rescue, Mira and friend Deni search for survivors while the rest of the town gathers resources. Though the novel feels uneven in places, with a prolonged beginning and abrupt plot developments toward the end involving Mira discovering heretofore unknown family members, Kephart (One Stolen Thing) establishes relatable characters and a poetic style that artfully blend the island days before and after the storm. Ages 12–up. Agent: Amy Rennert, Amy Rennert Literary Agency. (Apr.)