A SOFT PLACE TO LAND
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Joy Taylor has always believed home is the house she lived in her entire life. But then her dad lost his job, and suddenly, home became a tiny apartment with thin walls, shared bedrooms, and a place for tense arguments between Mom and Dad. Hardest of all, Joy doesn’t have her music to escape through anymore. Without enough funds, her dreams of becoming a great pianist—and one day, a film score composer—have been put on hold. One bright light comes in the form of her friendly new neighbor, Nora. When she learns about Joy’s need to get away sometimes, Nora lets Joy in on the complex’s best-kept secret: the Hideout, a cozy refuge that only the kids know about. And it’s in this little hideaway that Joy starts exchanging messages on the wall with another kid in the building who also seems to be struggling, until—abruptly, they stop writing back. Joy can’t shake the feeling that someone might be in trouble. She has to find out who this mystery writer is, fast, but between managing a new dog-walking business with Nora, keeping on a brave face for her little sister, and worrying about her parents’ marriage, Joy isn’t sure how to keep her own head above water. From critically acclaimed author of From the Desk of Zoe Washington, Janae Marks, comes the story of a resilient young girl learning to adjust to the unexpected with grace as she reshapes her meaning of home. |
HONORS
- September/October 2021 Kids Indie Next Pick
- 2021 Project Lit Book Club Selection
- 2022 Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year
praise
"At turns poignant and affirmative, this sophomore novel by Marks (From the Desk of Zoe Washington) imparts invaluable messages on growing up, being honest, and communicating feelings to loved ones." - Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Blending mystery with realistic fiction, Joy’s story of how complicated life is for a kid will resonate with readers in tender and poignant ways.” - Booklist, starred review
"This poignant look at friendship, loss, and facing consequences hits all the right notes. It will squeeze your heart in such a special way. Marks tenderly blends mystery, compassion and the highs and lows of friendship in a perfect melody. A Soft Place to Land will have readers cheering for Joy and longing for a hideout of their very own." - Lisa Moore Ramée, author of A Good Kind of Trouble and Something to Say
“A wonderfully timely story about connection, loss and the spaces we need to understand one and brave the other.” - Paula Chase, author of Dough Boys and So Done
“A joyful story about the power of being kind and sticking together when life gets bumpy. A Soft Place to Land is a book that kids will love.” - Rebecca Stead, Newbery Award-winning author of When You Reach Me
“A Soft Place to Land perfectly captures how complicated it is to be a kid. Readers who have faced times of change and uncertainty of their own will recognize themselves in Joy and find hope in her courage, her ingenuity, and her fierce dedication to her friends.” - Kate Messner, author of Breakout and Chirp
"A bittersweet story of silent perseverance and kids working for themselves." - Kirkus Reviews
A Soft Place to Land confirms Marks’ status as one of the brightest new stars of contemporary middle grade. Whereas Zoe Washington explored injustice and systemic racism, A Soft Place to Land explores class in a story-driven way that never feels heavy-handed." - BookPage
“Janae Marks offers readers hope in this appealing novel of friendship and second chances. Exploring powerful themes, such as responsibility, loyalty, and forgiveness, A Soft Place to Land is a joy!” - Christopher Rose, Andover Bookstore, Andover, MA
"An engaging coming-of-age story that will appeal to a wide range of readers." - School Library Journal
“Blending mystery with realistic fiction, Joy’s story of how complicated life is for a kid will resonate with readers in tender and poignant ways.” - Booklist, starred review
"This poignant look at friendship, loss, and facing consequences hits all the right notes. It will squeeze your heart in such a special way. Marks tenderly blends mystery, compassion and the highs and lows of friendship in a perfect melody. A Soft Place to Land will have readers cheering for Joy and longing for a hideout of their very own." - Lisa Moore Ramée, author of A Good Kind of Trouble and Something to Say
“A wonderfully timely story about connection, loss and the spaces we need to understand one and brave the other.” - Paula Chase, author of Dough Boys and So Done
“A joyful story about the power of being kind and sticking together when life gets bumpy. A Soft Place to Land is a book that kids will love.” - Rebecca Stead, Newbery Award-winning author of When You Reach Me
“A Soft Place to Land perfectly captures how complicated it is to be a kid. Readers who have faced times of change and uncertainty of their own will recognize themselves in Joy and find hope in her courage, her ingenuity, and her fierce dedication to her friends.” - Kate Messner, author of Breakout and Chirp
"A bittersweet story of silent perseverance and kids working for themselves." - Kirkus Reviews
A Soft Place to Land confirms Marks’ status as one of the brightest new stars of contemporary middle grade. Whereas Zoe Washington explored injustice and systemic racism, A Soft Place to Land explores class in a story-driven way that never feels heavy-handed." - BookPage
“Janae Marks offers readers hope in this appealing novel of friendship and second chances. Exploring powerful themes, such as responsibility, loyalty, and forgiveness, A Soft Place to Land is a joy!” - Christopher Rose, Andover Bookstore, Andover, MA
"An engaging coming-of-age story that will appeal to a wide range of readers." - School Library Journal