Halfway to Harbor

Gr 3-7–This third installment revolves around 12-year-old Harbor, the eldest sibling in their large, boisterous family. Basketball is front and center in Harbor’s life as she navigates her feelings of fitting in, standing out, and speaking up. When Harbor is offered the chance to play for an elite team miles away from home, her dad suggests she live with him during the week so she’ll be close to practice. Leaving her too-small, too-noisy home is what Harbor has dreamed of, and a bedroom of her own promises to be amazing. Playing with the team, hanging out with new friend (and crush) Quinn, and staying with her dad is okay, but it’s quiet and a little lonely. Harbor misses her sisters, moms, big slobbery dog, crowded house, and Sunrise Lagoon. Most of all, she misses the belonging, the love, and even all the noise. This novel features adoption, queer parents, surrogacy, divorce, and fractured friendships as Harbor navigates to her safe waters. Melleby captures the angst of being 12-going-on-13 with deft prose and believable dialogue.