See You on a Starry Night

Gr 3–6—After her parents' recent divorce, 11-year-old Juliet; her older sister, Miranda; and their mom move from Bakersfield to Mission Beach in California. Juliet is unhappy with all the changes in her life and now, to top it off, she has to start at a new school after spring break. Escaping from her new home and heading down to the beach, Juliet meets Emma, who instantly draws Juliet into her latest adventure: writing messages to put into a bottle and toss into the ocean. Juliet thinks the idea is a bit wacky but she immediately likes Emma and won't turn away a potential friend. Juliet is shocked to discover an email from "Some Kid" later in the week claiming to have discovered her message in a bottle. Some Kid invites Juliet to be part of the Starry Beach Club if she can help make someone's wish come true. Juliet has her work cut out for her. Schroeder nicely balances the emotions Juliet is tackling as she dwells on her parents' divorce, starts a new friendship, and becomes part of the Mission Beach community. Juliet's love of lists, her passion for art and Vincent van Gogh, and her jealousy at observing Emma's "perfect" family are highly relatable.