by Helen Frost
First published 2016
The first apple drops from the tree, and Faith knows what that means. Applesauce weather has arrived. Uncle Arthur should be coming soon with his usual sparkle and his wild tales about how he lost his finger. But this year feels different. Aunt Lucy died, and when Uncle Arthur finally shows up, he brings no stories and no joy. Peter thinks he's too old for family traditions anyway. Faith refuses to give up. She believes Uncle Arthur still has stories inside him, including the real truth about that missing finger. She sets out to coax him back to himself with love and patience. The family gathers around their autumn ritual, but grief hangs over everything. Faith must find a way to help Uncle Arthur remember that stories can heal as much as they can entertain. This poetic novel shows how families hold each other up when loss threatens to break them apart.
Genres: fiction, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, lyrical
Tropes: found-family
112 pages · Hardcover · Candlewick Press