QUEENIE IN SEVEN MOVES

An inspiring tale about finding home and having meaningful experiences along the way.

Twelve-year-old Queenie Anderson of Curlew Point, Australia, just found out that her family’s landlady is selling her beloved home. The timing is bad: Queenie, who reads white, had summoned the courage to play guitar and sing at her school’s end-of-year concert. But after her former-bestie-turned-archrival, Sparrow Hawkins, who presents Black, performed Queenie’s chosen song, “Ocean Eyes,” right before Queenie’s turn, she lost her nerve and fled. Queenie and her widowed mum temporarily relocate to an empty unit at Diamond Sands Senior Village, her mother’s workplace. But Queenie’s spirits are lifted after she meets purple-haired, 93-year-old Audrey, becomes the choir leader, and oversees the community Christmas concert. Inspired by Audrey, Queenie decides to perform at the show, but unfortunately, Sparrow, who’s visiting her grandfather, a Diamond Sands resident, also takes the stage—and she chooses “Silent Night,” the same song Queenie planned on singing. When their unit is needed for someone else, Queenie and Mum become renters, living with the family of Dory, a boy from school who’s a chess whiz and a bit of a loner. Readers will relate to Queenie’s mixed emotions over the upheaval in her life as well as her journey to building real friendships with Sparrow and Dory. The mother-daughter bond and other relationships forged through Queenie’s moves are winning elements in this heartfelt story of silver linings.

Charming and uplifting, and a touching example of perseverance during uncertain times.