Gnome Is Where Your Heart Is

The chapters have a lively, starship-adventure feel that plays nicely against Lemon's artless storytelling. . . . Science-fiction elements send this tale of relatable family issues to delightfully surprising places.

Readers who love tales of adventure will enjoy watching the inventive, intrepid Lemon scheme to outwit the retirement home nurse, her parents, and an evil alien, only to find herself in need of a rescue by her friends, old and new. With an easygoing mix of idealism, bravado, and wit, this third-person narrative will entertain many readers.

In a sensitive novel from Lyall (A Spoonful of Frogs), an 11-year-old confronts her grandfather's gradual decline due to Alzheimer's disease, a family rift, and a rumor about aliens. Lenore "Lemon" Peabody loves nothing better than working with her beloved Grandpa Walt on Project Validation--seeking proof of his purported encounter 30 years ago with a green-skinned extraterrestrial who resembled a garden gnome. The whole town delights in the oft-told story and peppers their lawns with green gnomes, much to the chagrin of Lemon's disbelieving father, who demands that she tone down the search now that Grandpa is in a retirement home. After a late-night incidence of flashing lights persuades Lemon that the aliens have returned, she enlists the aid of two friends--one a murder mystery writer with a morbid bent, the other a passionate mycologist--committed to establishing that Grandpa has always been right. Alternating, urgently rendered chapters follow the perspective of bumbling yet charming alien Ensign Gnedley, a plotline that parallels Lemon's mission as they both seek answers around his kind's previous Earth visit. Lyall strikes an even balance between heartwarming and heartbreak as Lemon's independent spark, sharp wit, and deep compassion brighten the pages. Lemon is white; context clues suggest racial diversity across the supporting cast. Ages 8-12. Agent: Molly Ker Hawn, Bent Agency. (May)

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"An exciting story filled with humor, heart, and aliens from space. An out-of this-world page turner!" — Chris Grabenstein, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

"A quirky and captivating sci-fi adventure that reads at light speed. Lemon Peabody is spunky, big-hearted hero easy to cheer for, and her journey reminds us to cherish every moment we have with family and friends, no matter where they're from." — John David Anderson, acclaimed author of Posted and Finding Orion

"An endlessly delightful read that seamlessly marries the excitement and kid-appeal of a first contact with aliens plotline with a sensitive depiction of a child coming to terms with a loved one's illness. Gnome Is Where Your Heart Is is charming, witty, and just pure fun." — Heather Fawcett, author of Ember and the Ice Dragons and The Grace of Wild Things

"Gnome is Where Your Heart Is is a poignant (and often hilarious) story about unwavering familial devotion and faithful friendships with a unique sci-fi twist. The plot is both imaginative and unforgettable. Lemon Peabody is a protagonist with an engaging voice that practically leaps off the page—she's a character you'll instantly fall for. When you finish this book, you'll never look at garden gnomes the same way again. I loved it eGNOMEously." — Angela Ahn, acclaimed author of Peter Lee's Notes from the Field