The House Swap

Gr 3-7--Odd-couple duo Allie and Sage will warm readers' hearts as they find themselves in a unique situation where their families swap homes for for the summer, leading to adventures as they discover more about themselves and their new countries. Sage lives a carefree life in California, surrounded by sunshine and the ocean, and all the fun that comes with being a Cali girl. Allie, who is British, dreams of someday being able to investigate unsolved mysteries. The girls are quite different in terms of personality, culture, and family style. While Sage is used to being an only child in a small family, Allie is used to a more crowded home, one that at times makes her feel like she is hidden in the background. Tweens will enjoy getting to know Sage and Allie through their alternating perspectives and will likely connect to their relatable struggles. Sage fears her parents might get separated and Allie feels lost, trying to make sense of how it feels to be a part of such a different family unit than Sage's. In the end, readers will find themselves emotionally invested as both characters learn about what it truly means to be a family, the challenges that come with growing up in different environments, and how hard it can be to find yourself. Both main characters are white. VERDICT A strong, heartwarming coming-of-age tale for tweens, teens, and even adults.--Aurora Dominguez

In a charming novel positioned as The Parent Trap meets The Holiday, Clark (Glitter Gets Everywhere) centers two 11-year-olds navigating their place within their families. Aspiring spy Allegra "Allie" Greenwood, who lives in a small English village near Bletchley Park, is interpersonally direct but still feels invisible within her bustling family. Shy only child Sage Grayson, who's into crystals, resides in a big L.A. house, where she's focused on reminding her parents that they still love one another. When Sage's mother arranges a girls' trip for herself and Sage--a house swap with the Greenwood family--and a pet's illness keeps Allie and her mother from leaving as planned, Allie and Sage quickly become friends. In alternating, distinct voices, they narrate their growing friendship, which involves sharing confidences and conspiring to save Sage's parents' marriage by getting her dad to England. Clark cozily portrays Allie's tight-knit Costwolds village, where Sage is researching her British great-great-grandmother, and establishes both girls' arc toward learning to talk about their feelings and ask for what they need. Involving some basic spycraft, the result is a likable, low-key tale about life's surprises as well as the trials and rewards of family life. Main characters cue as white. Ages 8-12. Agent: Elizabeth Bewley, Sterling Lord Literistic. (Feb.)

PRAISE FOR Glitter Gets Everywhere:

Joy, sorrow, humor, hope—this book has it all. I loved every page. Kitty and I would have been great friends. — Erin Entrada Kelly, author of Newbery Medal winner Hello, Universe and Newbery Honor winner We Dream of Space

Delightful and utterly compelling. Glitter Gets Everywhere sparkles like the gem that it is. — Ann M. Martin, New York Times bestselling author of Rain, Reign

Kitty Wentworth draws readers into her personal journey through grief with surprising honesty and abundant humor. A touching debut that brims with authenticity. Well done! — Leslie Connor, National Book Award Finalist, and author of A Home for Goddesses and Dogs

A heartfelt novel that is sure to touch readers deeply, Glitter Gets Everywhere offers a gentle exploration of grief, sprinkled with moments of humor worthy of Louise Rennison. Kitty is an immensely loveable character, and middle graders will find her transatlantic adventures relatable, poignant and honest. I loved this book!—Ali Standish, award-winning author of The Ethan I Was Before — Ali Standish, award-winning author of The Ethan I Was Before

This tender, witty debut made me cry, laugh, and think deeply. Glitter Gets Everywhere sparkles with insights about the beautiful, complicated ways people move forward after a heartbreaking loss. — Laurie Morrison, Author of Up for Air and Saint Ivy

The well-drawn characters are distinctive individuals who see things from different points of view. The narrative engages readers with its well-paced story and articulate portrayal of emotions. Clark portrays Kitty and her circle of family and friends with perception, wit, and finesse in this absorbing first novel. — Booklist (starred review)

The heart-rending topic; the well-drawn family relationships; and Kitty's brave, honest, and often funny responses to her tragedy are the soul of this book. Heartfelt and comforting. — Kirkus Reviews

Clark offers a solid depiction of therapy as positive and sometimes necessary. Throughout, Kitty deals with her grief openly and honestly, doing her best to work through it. A touching story of grief and change. — School Library Journal

With a deeply introspective bent that delves into the darkness of grief and the light found on the other side, Clark's tender debut will strike a chord with readers who have experienced the loss of a loved one. — Publishers Weekly

Kitty is a perceptive narrator, keenly aware of the emotional currents around her. Clark's characters, both adult and child, are fully realized and slightly eccentric without being caricatures. The book takes a thoughtful approach to grief and recovery, exploring Kitty's emotional growth in a nondidactic way. — The Horn Book