About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is starting to notice social differences or feels like an outsider because of their family's unique circumstances. While it is a fast-paced mystery, it serves as a gentle entry point for discussing housing insecurity and non-traditional lifestyles. Through the eyes of twelve-year-old Hannah, readers see that being 'different' or 'street-smart' is a source of strength rather than a deficit. Set against the backdrop of Seattle's houseboat community, the story follows Hannah and her mom as they navigate life through house-sitting. When Hannah discovers environmental tampering in the lake, she uses her keen observational skills to solve the mystery. It is a realistic, secular portrayal of a single-parent family managing financial hardship with dignity and creativity. Ideal for middle-grade readers, it balances serious social themes with the fun of a classic detective story.
