• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

Sixteen-year-old Bailey struggles with her job but stays because she loves the stories of the area—including the legend of a local ghost.

Bailey is working at her first summer job, as a cabin girl at a fly-in fishing camp at Witch Lake. April, an older waitress with street smarts, takes Bailey under her wing and the two girls become friends. It’s all good until another waitress burns her arm and has to leave. Bailey gets a sudden promotion, and April is asked to help clean the cabins. April becomes far from friendly and Bailey finds herself alone again and messing up on the job—and possibly seeing the ghost.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read! The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

After nearly 30 years as a published author, Kristin has written more biographies of herself than she cares to remember. And she has run out of new ways to describe the same old life. Besides, she doesn't think of herself in terms of her birthplace, education, and work history. What she'd really like people to know about her is that she loves to dance. She loves to laugh. She loves to learn. Crossword puzzles relax her. Waiting frustrates her. She likes spending time by herself. And, like the heroine in her new book Closer to Far Away, she has a family that gives her strength. Her books include Cheat, Girls Like Me, The Druid and the Dragon, and Alibi. Kristin lives in Campbell River, British Columbia.

Kristin Butcher's profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens

"A fast-paced read that will appeal not only to older, reluctant or struggling teen readers but also to stronger readers looking for a quick, engaging story. The subject matter and character conversation level is appropriate to older teens despite the use of simple, straightforward vocabulary."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"A well-structured and well-developed novel. The characters are fleshed out, the emotions are real and earned, and the plot holds well. I especially liked that Bailey grew stronger from April’s bullying and actually used the experience to gain confidence in herself."

Southwestern Ohio Young Adult Materials Review Group (SOYAMRG)

"Overt messages are presented engagingly for reluctant teen readers."

The Horn Book Guide

"Teens will enjoy this riveting tale of frenemies and root for Bailey's success."

The Washington State Young Adult Review Group (WASHYARG)

"Appealing and approachable...offers readers a summer story succinctly told, complete with adolescent girl dynamics, first-job jitters, and even a resident ghost. This story of a balanced, relatable heroine respects its readers, giving them a novel serious in tone, smartly paced, and skillfully executed."

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books