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INTERMEDIATE FICTION
Willing, Stephanie

West of the Sea

352 pp. | Viking | August, 2023 | Trade ISBN 9780593465578 $18.99 | Ebook ISBN 9780593465592 $10.99
(2) 4-6 Haven West doesn't understand why her mother is always disappearing--either outside or into the bathroom--or why she herself sees prehistoric creatures in the Texas desert that surrounds her home, but no one else can. She's also not sure why her older sister, Margie, is irritable all the time, although Margie's sensory processing disorder and the way she steps up to keep the household running might have something to do with it. Rye, whose family just moved in nearby, wants to be friends, and his support comes in handy as Haven starts to unravel the mysteries of her family, which bend toward the supernatural. When Mom goes missing for good, Haven, Margie, and Rye--with the help of Margie's provisional driver's license and Rye's father's food truck--set off on a trans-Texas road trip that leads to plenty of answers, both about Haven's family and about her own identity and powers. The tone is slightly whimsical, even as the book delves into serious topics, an effective blend that keeps the plot moving and doesn't let the drama become overwhelming. The characters are likable and authentic, and the resolution is satisfying.
Reviewer: Sarah Rettger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2023

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