• Age: 8 to 12
• Grade: 3 to 7

From the author of My Deal with the Universe, a lighthearted, tender story of a girl and her steadfast duck.

I spend a lot of time thinking about what Grandad said that day Webster first went missing. How if you spend too much time dwelling on the things you’ve lost, you might not notice what you’ve got in its place. And how sometimes those things can be just as wonderful. But in a different way.

Sarah is turning twelve. For the last ten years, ever since her dad mysteriously left, Sarah and her mom have always celebrated together for an entire birthday week. But when Sarah finds out that this year her mother has to work, and that she’s signed Sarah up last minute for a week of culinary school instead, things go from bad to worse.

At least the camp has agreed to let Sarah bring her duck, Webster. Sarah knows that with Webster by her side, she can handle whatever comes her way. But then Webster goes missing, just as Sarah’s search for her absent father comes up empty as well. Will she have to say yet another painful goodbye?

In a story about love, friendship, search for identity, and the hardship of loss, Sarah finds joy and strength in unexpected friendships and learns that when we focus so much on chasing answers, we can forget to notice what we already have.

DEBORAH KERBEL a écrit des livres pour les jeunes adultes, les préadolescents et les lecteurs débutants. Ses romans ont été présélectionnés pour les Prix littéraires du Gouverneur général, le prix du livre de l’année pour les jeunes adultes de l’Association canadienne des bibliothèques et le Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award. Elle vit à Toronto avec son mari, ses deux adolescents et Freddie, leur chien adopté.

DEBORAH KERBEL was born in London, England, and now lives in Thornhill, Ontario with her husband, son and daughter, and a rescue dog named Freddie. Deborah has written a number of picture books, and is the author of four young adult and two middle-grade novels, including My Deal with the Universe. Her books have been shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Canadian Library Association’s YA Book Award, and many readers’ choice awards. Visit her online at www.deborahkerbel.com.

Deborah Kerbel's profile page

Praise for Deborah Kerbel:

“Excellent . . . Deborah Kerbel has created a perfect storm of wildly clashing values and gentle personal growth at the centre of this story and has managed it with grace and honesty.” (My Deal with the Universe) — Resource Links

“Remarkable . . . I actually found myself missing the characters once I was done. Highly recommended.” 4/4 stars (My Deal with the Universe) — CM: Canadian Review of Materials

“Lightness and sparkle . . . Deborah Kerbel makes it clear that normal is different for everyone . . .” (My Deal with the Universe) — CanLit for LittleCanadians

“My Deal with the Universe is a tender story about learning to love what makes you different, featuring the coolest house I've ever read about.” Vikki VanSickle, author of The Winnowing