by Kevin Henkes
First published 1999
Maggie watches her older sister Claire pack for college, measuring the space that will soon separate them. The two sisters have shared everything - secrets whispered after bedtime, afternoon adventures in their neighborhood, and the comfortable rhythm of daily life. Now Claire prepares to leave for a university that feels impossibly far away, not just in miles but in experience. Maggie struggles to understand how their closeness can survive when Claire enters a world of dorm rooms, new friends, and independence. As departure day approaches, both sisters grapple with the changing shape of their relationship. They must learn that growing up doesn't always mean growing apart, and that some bonds stretch without breaking. Kevin Henkes captures the bittersweet reality of family change with gentle honesty, exploring how love adapts when circumstances shift.
Genres: fiction, family-life, contemporary, young-adult
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, slice-of-life
32 pages · Hardcover · Greenwillow