Those Kids from Fawn Creek by Erin Entrada Kelly

A powerful and thought-provoking story"". Shelf Awareness starred review ""An emotionally resonant story about authenticity and belonging"". Kirkus Reviews starred review ""A raw, real exploration of belonging that's also sweetly hopeful"". Publishers Weekly starred review Every day in Fawn Creek, Louisiana, is exactly the same until Orchid Mason arrives. From Erin Entrada Kelly, the winner of the Newbery Medal for Hello, Universe and a Newbery Honor for We Dream of Space, this contemporary school story set in small-town Louisiana is about friendship, family, deception and being true to yourself and your dreams. There are twelve kids in the seventh grade at Fawn Creek Middle School. They've been together all their lives. And in this small factory town where everyone knows everything about everyone, that's not necessarily a great thing. There are thirteen desks in the seventh-grade classroom. That's because Renni Dean's father got a promotion and the family moved to Grand Saintlodge, the nearest big town. Renni's desk is empty, but Renni still knows their secrets, is still pulling their strings. When Orchid Mason arrives and slips gracefully into Renni's chair, the other seventh graders don't know what to think. Orchid who was born in New York City but just moved to Fawn Creek.