âLovely and empowering.â âAshley Herring Blake, author of the Stonewall Honorâwinning Ivy Aberdeenâs Letter to the World
Twelve-year-old Zoey navigates the tricky waters of friendship while looking for a way to save her grandfatherâs struggling business in this âheartfeltâ (Kirkus Reviews) debut novel perfect for fans of Kristi Wientge, Donna Gephart, and Meg Medina.
Zoey comes from a family of dreamers. From start-up companies to selling motorcycles, her dad is constantly chasing jobs that never seem to work out. As for Zoey, sheâs willing to go along with whatever grand plans her dad dreams upâeven if it means never staying in one place long enough to make real friends. Her family being together is all that matters to her.
So Zoeyâs world is turned upside down when Dad announces that heâs heading to a new job in New York City without her. Instead, Zoey and her older brother, JosĂ©, will stay with their Poppy at the Jersey Shore. At first, Zoey feels as lost and alone as she did after her mami died. But soon sheâs distracted by an even bigger problem: the bowling alley that Poppy has owned for decades is in danger of closing!
After befriending a group of kids practicing for a summer bowling tournament, Zoey hatches a grand plan of her own to save the bowling alley. It seems like sheâs found the perfect way to weave everyoneâs dreams togetherâŠuntil unexpected events turn Zoeyâs plan into one giant nightmare. Now, with her new friends counting on her and her familyâs happiness hanging in the balance, Zoey will have to decide what her dream isâand how hard sheâs willing to fight for it.