Alternating points of view relate the experiences of two kids who are thrown together when their parents start dating. Sutton is a homeschooled science nerd who socially quirky. She is working on coding a robot for her robotics club and it is giving her some trouble. Even more frustrating, her mother is staying in Antarctica, where she studies penguins, for a longer period than initially planned. Sutton is happy with her Dad, but missing Mom is leaving a hole in her heart. Meanwhile, Luis is desperate for a social life, yet his many allergies tend to always spoil the fun. His overprotective mother is fearful of letting him out into the world, yet Luis is determined to prove to both of them that he can handle a bit of independence and new challenges. When Sutton's Dad and Luis's Mom begin to date and all indicator point to serious, the young people start to get to know each other. The first trip to a local Seattle museum proves disastrous, but for both of their parent's sakes they pledge to try again. This time they land on a family hike, putting both young people out of their comfort zones. When a secret shortcut lands them lost in the woods, panic begins to set in. How will they ever find the way back to the path? Can they cooperate and not lose their heads? Most importantly: will Luis get stung by a bee?
Young adult author and playwright, McCullough switches gears in this middle grade debut. Readers will enjoy spending time with Sutton and Luis: two fully realized and completely relatable characters. Kids will understand their social fears and reluctance to family change, even though they want their parents to be happy. What is nice about this book is that although Sutton and Luis have some reservations and growing pains in their relationship, they are both willing to get to know each other and never behave like brats. The parents are kind and supportive and readers will wish them happiness right along with Sutton and Luis. The Seattle setting is integral to the story and it will give kids an idea of what it is to live in this western city. Both kids experience character growth throughout the pages of the book and tap into their inner strength. While lost on the hike they learn to cooperate and put their talents to good use. At some point they both save the day managing to reach safety only through both of their efforts. Best of all, by book's end the two unrelated children manage to form an unlikely friendship that brings out the strengths in each other. McCullough demonstrates to readers the importance of community, accepting each other's differences, giving new things a chance, and weathering change and disappointment. Sutton and Luis discover friendship, home, and compromise in this new novel, while readers will discover their next great read and an armchair adventure.
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