Surviving high school is tough at the best of times, but Miracle has it even tougher than most. Born in the middle of an earthquake that changed her town
forever, her name stands out when all she really wants to do is stay under the radar as much as possible.
With her brother Julian changed forever by the quake, her agoraphobic, alcoholic mum, and her now out-of-work dad, she’s wondering if things are going to get a whole lot worse in the teasing stakes.
When Dad plans to apply for the school caretaker job, Miracle knows she must prevent that at all costs. Her meddling achieves her goal but leaves her filled with guilt when her dad must take up work at the local crematorium.
Her family life suddenly spirals completely out of control, her father is accused of grievous assault of a minor, and her mum won’t even get out of bed.
Miracle blames herself and wishes life would return to just being merely unpopular, and not receiving death threats, possible homelessness and grief.
She knows her father would never hit anyone, and she hopes the truth will finally be revealed, so her father can finally come home.
Talk of the town curse is not helping as people continue to suddenly fall ill and even pass away. Is her family caught up in the curse too?
With the most unassuming cover ever, Miracle deserves being shortlisted for the 2023 NZ Book Awards for Children & Young Adults – YA Fiction Award.
It is also the Winner of the Ngaio Marsh 2024 Crime Award for the best Young Adult Novel.
Miracle is a genuine kiwi teen, just trying to fit in, not draw any more attention to herself and her family, which unexpectedly results in her entire town turning against them. Trying to hold her family together is a struggle and brilliantly written by author Jennifer Lane.
This is a complicated family with complex financial and mental health challenges. The relationships are heartbreaking and heart warming too, as extended family reach out to help. An air of menace hovers over the narrative as characters wonder if a rumoured town curse is coming to pass.
Great read.
Author – Jennifer Lane
Age – 13+
If you like this, you might like another small town mystery – We Saw What You Started
(2022, Aotearoa New Zealand Author, Australia, Earthquake, NZ YA Fiction, Family, Relationships, Agoraphobia, Crematorium, Curse, School, Crime, Assault, Murder, Blame, Mental Health, Artist, Drawing)