First published 2022
Aurora Petrequin talks constantly while her best friend Frenchie Livernois never speaks a word. The eleven-year-old has struggled to make friends until Frenchie, who is autistic, quietly chose her back in third grade. They explore the woods of coastal Maine together, tracking a rare piebald deer with its patchwork coat. Aurora feels drawn to follow this unusual creature whenever it appears. At school, Aurora protects Frenchie and watches out for him. But this year brings changes. Aurora discovers she can make other friends and expand her social circle. One morning, Frenchie fails to reach his classroom. Aurora blames herself for his disappearance. The whole town joins the search effort, yet somehow no one has spotted him anywhere. Aurora must learn how to use her voice effectively to help locate Frenchie and support him once he returns.
Genres: family-life, coming-of-age, contemporary, disability
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: disability, found-family
Setting: Maine
336 pages · Hardcover · HarperCollins
Content warnings: mental-illness