Where the Sky Lives

From the author of Five Things About Ava Andrews comes a new middle grade stand-alone novel with STEM and activism themes, set against the backdrop of beautiful Zion National Park. With the perfect blend of humor and heart, this poignant story about family, grief, and changes beyond our control is perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead, Meg Medina, and Lynne Kelly.

When life doesn’t make sense, twelve-year-old amateur astronomer Tuesday Beals has always looked to the stars above Zion National Park, where she lives. Her beloved late uncle Ezra taught her astronomy, but now their special stargazing sites are all she has left of him, along with his ashes and a poem that may be a riddle.

Then a new housing development next door threatens to ruin the night skies and her favorite astronomy spots. Desperate to focus on something besides the growing uncle-sized chasm between her and her mother, the park archeologist, Tuesday takes up photography with her best friend, Carter, after they find an abandoned camera. With this new way of seeing the universe, she tries to solve her uncle’s riddle to save the land.

But one day, a photo reveals clues about an endangered animal—one that could halt construction. Will the discovery be enough to save the park and keep the rest of her world from falling apart?  

• STEM for Kids: With her late uncle’s telescope and a mysterious old camera she finds, Tuesday uses science to see the world—and her problems—in a whole new way.
• A Middle Grade Mystery: A cryptic poem from her beloved Uncle Ezra is more than just a memory; it’s a puzzle that might hold the key to saving the land he loved.
• Environmental Activism: When a housing development threatens to destroy the night sky over Zion National Park, Tuesday discovers that one kid with a camera can make a huge difference.
• Best Friend Adventure: She isn’t alone in her fight. With her best friend Carter by her side, Tuesday’s quest to save the park becomes a summer they’ll never forget.