The Village by the Sea

Winner of the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, this novel follows a young girl who learns difficult truths about human nature. Emma is sent to stay with her father's half-sister, Aunt Bea, on Long Island for two weeks while her father has surgery and her mother remains at the hospital. At the beach, Emma befriends a girl named Bertie, and together they build an elaborate village entirely from shells—complete with a mayor's house made of sand dollars and pinecones, and a main street lined with white bubble shells. Each day the girls add more details to their creation. Then, shortly before Emma is scheduled to return home, something terrible occurs. This thoughtful novel presents an unflinching and candid exploration of forgiveness and unconditional love.