Overview
Noah is used to being a straight-A student, swim champ and all-around easy kid. But things haven't been the same since Noah's older brother Jamie ran away to Halifax, leaving only a note behind. His parents spend every free second on the phone or driving to Halifax to try to find Jamie, and Noah is left trying to mask his anxiety and grief by pretending to be the perfect son who does everything right. But inside he feels like crying and gets a knot in his stomach whenever he thinks of Jamie. Some warmth returns to their home when Grandma Aisling comes to stay, bringing her fiddle and her genius for making chocolate cake with her. At school, funny and kind Alysha joins his class and Noah has a new friend to distract him from his worries. When a swim competition is announced with the grand prize being a trip to Halifax, Noah knows he has to win it so he can go to Halifax himself--and get Jamie back. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
Full Product Details
Author: Rachel Schwartz Fagan
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Imprint: Orca Book Publishers
Dimensions:
Width: 12.70cm
, Height: 1.30cm
, Length: 18.80cm
Weight: 0.181kg
ISBN: 9781459840775
ISBN 10: 1459840771
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 17 March 2026
Recommended Age: From 9 to 12 years
Audience:
Children/juvenile
,
Children / Juvenile
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
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Reviews
""In the right readers' hand, such as those who struggle to find and keep friendships or kids who feel overshadowed by siblings, [the novel] will undoubtedly provide a good deal of comfort. Try this with fans of Gordon Korman."" -- ""Booklist"" ""Schwartz Fagan's well-paced narrative convincingly portrays the anxiety of a family dealing with crisis, the pleasures of having a loving grandparent, and the typical--yet still excruciating--ups and downs of adolescence. An absorbing family drama, helmed by an uncertain but sympathetic protagonist coming into his own."" -- ""Kirkus Reviews"" ""The book offers front-row seats to the myriad of emotions someone can experience when a loved one is struggling. A perfect addition to middle grade realistic and sports fiction collections. Recommended for all libraries."" -- ""School Library Journal (SLJ)""
Author Information
Rachel Schwartz Fagan is a storyteller and Ontario certified teacher. She holds an MPhil in children's literature and her work has been longlisted for CANSCAIP's Writing for Children Competition. As a settler in Tkaronto, Rachel works in arts and education spaces and brings a passion for facilitating creativity and environmental stewardship. Rachel is an avid zinester, and her work was nominated for the Broken Pencil Zine Awards in 2018 and 2020. She is also an emerging textile artist. In her spare time, Rachel climbs on rocks, listens to the ocean and argues with her dog.
