Things Too Huge to Fix by Saying Sorry

Buried truths about Mississippi’s segregated past bubble to the surface in this evocative novel featuring a tenacious biracial 12-year-old who wants to know more about her African-American grandmother’s history. Times have been difficult for Dani’s family since her Grandma Beans, a renowned historian, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. To make matters worse, Grandma’s feud with an award-winning author, Avadelle Richardson, has received new publicity. Nobody knows what started the rift, but it’s hurting Dani’s friendship with Richardson’s grandson, Mac, who has been told he can no longer speak to Dani. Determined to get to the bottom of things, Dani dives into researching the two women, following a string of clues from their writings and uncovering much more than she bargained for. Interspersing segments of a fictitious novel about the 1962 riot at Ole Miss into the story, Vaught (Footer Davis Probably Is Crazy) brings history to life as she connects the past with the present, showing how acts of violence, betrayal, and courage both color and blend the histories of two families. Ages 10–14. Agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary. (Sept.)