IF YOU READ THIS by Kereen Getten
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Since her mother’s death three years ago, Brie has felt forgotten by her family. Her Nana and aunt and uncle try to be there for her, but they never take her on the kind of adventures her vivacious mother used to imagine up. And her father is always working.
On her twelfth birthday, Brie receives a surprising gift: three letters from her mother, inviting her on one last adventure to her grandfather’s house on the rocky coast of their Caribbean island home. The only problem is that the letter insists that her father join her, and he’s never willing to take the time off work. Starting the journey with her extended family and two best friends, Brie feels her father’s absence keenly. But before the summer is over, her mother’s secret treasure might unlock a deeper connection, not only with her spirit but with all those who love Brie.
Once again, Getten has delivered a deeply moving, community-driven story with a genuine, authentic middle grade voice. The mystery keeps readers turning pages while Brie’s love for her family and longing for a relationship with her dad forges deep emotional connections. This is a must-read for middle grade fans of contemporary fiction!
Susan the Librarian 