This story combines the anxiety of being the perpetual new kid with a high stakes curse that physically destroys every house the family inhabits. Noah’s protective bond with his brother and his search for the truth behind their magical secret create an urgent, atmospheric mystery. Books in this family share supernatural tension, grounded emotional struggles, and a search for belonging.
A parent would reach for this book when their child is struggling with the emotional toll of frequent moves, feeling like a perpetual outsider, or wrestling with a family secret that feels heavy to carry. It is an ideal choice for a child who craves stability but finds themselves in a situation where they must constantly adapt to new environments. The story follows Noah Bradley, whose family is fleeing a supernatural curse that destroys every home they inhabit. As they settle into their thirteenth house, Noah becomes determined to break the cycle to protect his deaf younger brother and finally keep the friends he has made. This middle grade novel uses a magical realism lens to explore themes of resilience, sibling loyalty, and the literal and figurative storms families weather together. It is a hopeful, high stakes adventure that validates the anxiety of being 'the new kid' while celebrating the courage it takes to plant roots.
