Twelve-year-old Georgia's once idyllic family life in North Carolina is unraveling. As her beloved father is transformed and distanced from her by his increasingly erratic and frightening behavior, things become so tense at home that Georgia's mother sends her to stay with her great-aunt Marigold. There, Georgia explores the rural landscape and makes a new friend, Angela, an otherworldly girl her age with whom she discovers the forest and its hidden magic, including a lake that seems to have special powers. Aunt Marigold's home, Angela's friendship, and the magical lake sustain Georgia as she discovers the true cause of her father's problems and a family history of addiction. However, as the lake's magic and Georgia's hope fade, she must come to terms with adult complexity, the limits of magic, and what it means to be broken and mended. The imagery of rural Southern life is richly rendered, with beautiful, textured descriptions throughout and seamless and evenhanded portrayals of even the scary aspects of alcoholism. The well-drawn characters of Marigold and Georgia also contribute to a compelling read. The book concludes with a thoughtful, sensitive, and clear discussion about addiction. However, some of the forest-magic passages may strain even middle-grade believability, distracting from the poignantly crafted family story. Main characters seem to be White by default. Readers will be drawn into this story of friendship, magic, and the heartbreak--and healing--of addiction. (Fabulism. 9-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 3--7--Georgia's daddy has always been the person she looked up to most, the person who could make any bad day better, and the person she felt safest with. But Daddy is slowly being replaced by someone different, the Shadow Man, who comes home late (if at all), talks a little too loud, walks a little too wobbly, and smells a little too sour. So when her mama drives her to her great-aunt Marigold's country house, where she'll be spending the summer, Georgia knows exactly why. But Aunt Marigold's place is full of surprises, and so are the woods that surround it. When Georgia discovers a very special lake and makes a new friend, she discovers that magic is real and wishes can come true, but sometimes you have to work hard to make those wishes happen. 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. Georgia's struggle with her own emotions is brilliantly conveyed; the highlight of the book is Georgia's growth in her understanding of her own feelings and those of the people around her. Most characters are cued as white. VERDICT A powerful story about an important topic. Recommended for all libraries serving middle grade readers.--Mariah Smitala, Hedberg P.L., Janesville, WI

One July morning, white 12-year-old Georgia is informed that she will be spending the summer on her mysterious great-aunt Marigold's farm. Her overburdened mother is studying hard for a biology degree, and her beloved father is becoming the Shadow Man--Georgia's nickname for him when she can " the drink on his breath"--with alarming frequency. At first, only child Georgia is intensely lonely in rural North Carolina with her taciturn aunt, who has secrets of her own. But soon Georgia finds a pristine lake and a hazel-eyed neighbor girl named Angela on its banks. While skipping stones from an island in the lake, the fast friends discover the lake grants wishes, and the duo subsequently enjoy a summer blizzard and other impossible adventures. But the lake isn't infallible, and Georgia realizes that her family needs more than magic to mend her broken heart. 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. Ages 8--12. Agents: Sarah Davies and Polly Nolan, Greenhouse Literary. (May)

Georgia had always had a strong relationship with her father, but his alcoholism has diminished that and left "the Shadow Man" in Daddy's place. When summer comes, Georgia goes to stay in the country with great-aunt Marigold. Kind but rather withdrawn, Marigold gives her niece freedom to roam the woods. There Georgia meets two children: Angela, who becomes her supportive friend and an ally sharing magical adventures on an island in a lake; and Cole, who challenges her in unsettling and increasingly disruptive ways. As tension builds, both at home and in the country, a fire at Marigold's home unexpectedly brings Georgia closer to her great-aunt. Recent experiences, both real and magical, gradually shift Georgia's perspective and her expectations. The author of How to Disappear Completely (2020), Standish once again merges fantasy elements with reality in a captivating way. In the end, she lets readers discover the truth along with Georgia and, similarly, learn about alcoholism as a disease when she does. With appealing jacket art and well-drawn characters, this novel will engage many readers.