March 6, 2023
In this joyful series opener set on an idyllic New Jersey lagoon, 11-year-old Samantha Ali-O’Connor vows to save her Mom’s struggling boat charter and repair business as a way to “solidify her place” in her bustling adoptive family. Alongside 11-year-old Harbor, nine-year-old Marina (who’s also adopted), seven-year-old twins Cordelia and Lir, Mom, and schoolteacher Mama, Sam is both the most recent addition to the Ali-O’Connor household and the only member who can’t swim, which, despite her moms’ assurances, distresses her. Accidentally overhearing her parents discussing their strained finances, Sam realizes that her dream of taking over the family company is in jeopardy, and she launches a secret campaign to attract business before summer’s end. But Sam quickly discovers that she needs help, and she turns to four-months-older Harbor, with whom she shares an intense rivalry, as well as the Badger brothers, who spend summers across the lagoon. Moments of madcap humor and familial warmth characterize this emotionally generous summer tale from Melleby (Camp QUILTBAG), which showcases the author’s command of fully realized characterization and distinct relationship dynamics. Most characters read as white; the twins share Mama’s Syrian genes. Publishing simultaneously: Marina in the Middle (The House on Sunrise Lagoon #2). Ages 8–12. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret.
May 1, 2024
Gr 3-7-This third installment revolves around 12-year-old Harbor, the eldest sibling in their large, boisterous family. Basketball is front and center in Harbor's life as she navigates her feelings of fitting in, standing out, and speaking up. When Harbor is offered the chance to play for an elite team miles away from home, her dad suggests she live with him during the week so she'll be close to practice. Leaving her too-small, too-noisy home is what Harbor has dreamed of, and a bedroom of her own promises to be amazing. Playing with the team, hanging out with new friend (and crush) Quinn, and staying with her dad is okay, but it's quiet and a little lonely. Harbor misses her sisters, moms, big slobbery dog, crowded house, and Sunrise Lagoon. Most of all, she misses the belonging, the love, and even all the noise. This novel features adoption, queer parents, surrogacy, divorce, and fractured friendships as Harbor navigates to her safe waters. Melleby captures the angst of being 12-going-on-13 with deft prose and believable dialogue. VERDICT Fans of the series will love Harbor and her family, and will root for her on and off the court.-Pamela Thompson McLeod
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
June 15, 2024
Where do you fit when you're watching from the sidelines? Continuing the lives of the Ali-O'Connor family, this third series installment focuses on the eldest sibling, 12-year-old Harbor, who presents white. This summer, a friend of her dad's invites her to join the elite girls' basketball team she coaches, an important step for Harbor if she wants to stay serious about the sport. Instead of her usual two weekends a month, Harbor would therefore stay with her dad every weekend. The arrangement seems like a great deal to Harbor, who's been finding her moms' crowded house of seven people (plus a dog) even more stifling than usual. At the same time, Harbor's dealing with a recent growth spurt, her suddenly strained relationship with her best friend, and not starting on the elite team, plus some unexpected new feelings of attraction. Maybe she should make the move to her dad's place permanent? Melleby's series continues to explore strong themes of discovering one's place within the family, this time through Harbor's unique position of being the only sibling who has a known father in her life and who is a child of divorce (two of her siblings are adopted, and two have a sperm donor). The story contains many potential points of identification for young readers as Melleby explores the journey of a preteen who's dealing with emotional struggles through skillfully drawn, loving characters and a seamless plot. Candid and uplifting. (Fiction. 8-12)
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