by Paula Fox
First published 1995
Elizabeth finds herself shipped off to a remote Maine island while her parents fuss over their new baby. She feels displaced and angry about this exile from her regular life. Her grandmother lives simply on the island, spending her days painting and observing the natural world around her. Elizabeth meets a peculiar young person from the neighborhood who sees the island differently than she does. Through daily interactions with both her grandmother and this new acquaintance, Elizabeth begins to notice details she had missed before. The artist's way of looking at light and landscape starts to influence how Elizabeth perceives her surroundings. Her initial resentment about being sent away gradually shifts as she discovers unexpected connections. The island reveals itself as more than just a place of banishment. Elizabeth learns that distance from familiar routines can create space for new understanding about herself and her place in her changing family.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, contemporary, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Maine, Island
Period: Contemporary
201 pages · Library Binding · Demco Media