The Mending Summer

Standish has created a timeless tale of discovery, growth, and relationships. Her portrayal of a child learning what it means to have an alcoholic family member is both heartrending and resonant, illustrating that parents can’t always live up to young people’s expectations. A powerful story about an important topic. Recommended for all -libraries serving middle grade readers. – School Library Journal (starred review)

“Readers will be drawn into this story of friendship, magic, and the heartbreak–and healing–of addiction.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Standish (How to Disappear Completely) skillfully portrays the uncertainty and powerlessness of Georgia’s home situation; the magic at the heart of this understated tale offers its protagonist escape and healing, as well as the understanding that wishing is insufficient to change difficult circumstances.” – Publishers Weekly

“Standish once again merges fantasy elements with reality in a captivating way.” – Booklist

“An absolute gem of a friendship story that’s full of magic, courage, and love.” – Gail D. Villanueva, author of My Fate According to the Butterfly

“A magical story exploring the true meaning of family, forgiveness, and friendship.” – Jen Petro-Roy, author of Life in the Balance and Good Enough

Ali Standish is the award-winning author of books for the young and young at heart, including the Carnegie-nominated The Ethan I Was Before, August Isle, Bad Bella, The Climbers, How to Disappear Completely, The Mending Summer, and Yonder. Her books are Junior Library Guild Selections, have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, ALA Booklist, and School Library Journal, have been named as Indie Next titles and nominated for Goodreads Choice Awards. During her years living in a tumbledown Victorian cottage in the UK, she obtained a master’s degree in children’s literature from the University of Cambridge. She now resides in North Carolina with her husband and sons.