The House on Sunrise Lagoon: Sam Makes a Splash

Name: The House on Sunrise Lagoon: Sam Makes a Splash
ISBN: 9781523523771

by Nicole Melleby

Subject: Family - Alternative Family
Age: 6-8 years
Format: Trade Paperback
Pages: 224
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Size: 13.7 cm × 20.6 cm
ISBN: 9781523523771

From an acclaimed author comes a cheerful, uplifting story of family and belonging, the first in a series perfect for fans of the Vanderbeekers and the Penderwicks.

If you want to get to know eleven-year-old Samantha Ali-O’Connor, you need to know three things:

One, she isn’t the only one of her siblings who is adopted, but she is the only one whose name isn't inspired by the ocean.

Two, she and Harbor always compete with each other to be the best Oldest Sibling—and just about everything else.

And three, she is determined to prove she's a real Ali-O'Connor by taking over the family business, repairing and chartering boats.

Except there's a Capital-P Problem: Her mothers have been Serious Whispering about selling the business before summer's end! Sam needs to come up with a plan, quick, before Harbor finds out. And before Sam loses her chance to inherit the business and be an Ali-O'Connor forever.

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What reviewers said

"Melleby’s debut offers a tender, earnest portrait of a daughter searching for constancy while negotiating her father’s sickness and the social challenges of tween girlhood, including her first crush on a girl."

Publishers Weekly, starred review

"This funny, tender, and heart-wrenching story will have readers calling for an encore."

Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Moments of madcap humor and familial warmth characterize this emotionally generous summer tale from Melleby, which showcases the author’s command of fully realized characterization and distinct relationship dynamics.”

Publishers Weekly

"Melleby deftly tackles weighty topics—mental illness, child protective services, single parenting, sexuality—while effortlessly weaving in elements of the life and works of Vincent van Gogh, creating a thoughtful, age-appropriate and impressive novel."

Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Sprinkled with astronomy-related metaphors related to a planet’s properties, this acutely observed, authentically told tale by Melleby thoughtfully portrays Pluto’s relationship with her worried single mother, the girl’s urgent desire to 'be fixed,' and her intense—and at times overpowering—depressive episodes."

Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A strong recommendation for readers who enjoy contemplative, character-driven stories like those by Ashley Herring Blake."

School Library Journal, starred review

The House on Sunrise Lagoon: Sam Makes a Splash

What reviewers said