A stunning voice-driven novel about grief, family, and putting the pieces back together for “fans of Rebecca Stead and Erin Entrada Kelly” (BCCB) and “readers who enjoyed The Thing About Jellyfish (Booklist).
Maddy Gaines sees danger everywhere she looks: at the bus stop, around the roller rink, in the woods, and (especially) by the ocean. When Maddy meets a mysterious boy setting booby traps in the North Carolina woods, she suspects the worst.
Maddy is certain she’s found Billy Holcomb-the boy who went missing in the fall. Except, maybe it’s not him. It’s been six months since he disappeared. And who will believe her anyway? Definitely not her mom or her stepdad . . . or the chief of police.
As Maddy tries to uncover the truth about Billy Holcomb, ghosts from her own past surface, her best friend starts to slip away, and Maddy’s world tilts once again. Can she put the pieces of her life back together, even if some of them are lost forever?
Extras
- Order from my local indie bookstore and #supportourindies
- Hear what readers are saying on Netgalley!
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Learn all about Every Missing Piece on Melanie’s YouTube channel
- Hear Melanie read the first chapter of Every Missing Piece
- Preview the first three chapters of Every Missing Piece!
- Download the Educator Guide to Every Missing Piece
Praise for Every Missing Piece
Nebraska Golden Sower Award Nominee for 2022-2023
A Mighty Girl’s 2020 Books of the Year Selection!
Amazon Teacher’s Pick Selection
School Library Journal Best Summer Reads 2020
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“Conklin’s well-paced narrative nimbly incorporates Maddy’s ever-present fear and lingering grief into a nuanced tale of a tween discovering that things aren’t always what they seem.” ―Publishers Weekly (full review)
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“Conklin’s fine Southern storytelling, complete with Cheerwine, homemade pies, and pig pickin’s, blends these nuanced realities with care.” —Kirkus (full review)
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“Fans of Rebecca Stead and Erin Entrada Kelly will appreciate the author’s compassion for kids navigating the dynamics of an uncertain world.” ―BCCB
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“In this heartfelt story about a family struggling through adjustments big and small, Maddy’s efforts to make sense of the changes in her life will inspire young readers.”―School Library Journal (full review)
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“Conklin’s strength as a writer keeps this story hopeful, even lighthearted and funny at times. Readers who enjoyed The Thing about Jellyfish will find this enjoyable too.”―Booklist
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“Maddy is someone who sees danger everywhere she looks and she can’t help it. Then, she runs into a boy that reminds her of a boy that went missing awhile back. As she works to uncover the truth, she works through her own grief, her own struggles, while also accepting her family and what they look like now. This middle grade book is a must read and will definitely be a hit with my students next year. I cannot wait to share Maddy’s story with everyone.” — @MiddleGradeTales
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— Hope H, Librarian
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