• Age: 12 to 18
• Grade: 8 to 12
• Reading age: 12 to 18

Sixteen-year-old Charlie Abbotts lives with her father, a once-brilliant mathematician subject to mood swings and depressive episodes.

Making sure her dad gets out of bed and takes his meds is part of Charlie's daily routine, but lately she’s been distracted by her crush, Lachlan. Her grades are slipping and her mom is starting to ask questions. When Lachlan finally asks her out, Charlie is over the moon—until she realizes that her father has disappeared. With only a note to go on, Charlie begins to retrace her father’s steps. Along the way, she meets people who help her understand not only where he might be but also who he really is. As she discovers the truth, her search takes on greater urgency and scope.

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

Matt Beam is a writer, photographer and teacher. His young adult novels, published in Canada and the U.S., include Can You Spell Revolution?, Earth To Nathan Blue and Last December. City Alphabet, with words by Joanne Schwartz, was his first photographic picture book. He lives in downtown Toronto.

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