Written by Newbery Medalist, National Book Award winner, and Laura Ingalls Wilder Award recipient Katherine Paterson

Vinnie Matthews needs a real lifesaver--on that will bring her father back to life and let her family go home. Living with Grandma means having to be responsible for her little brother, Mason, who refuses to speak, and ignoring the kids who ask why he's so crazy. Then Vinnie meets Lupe, the mysterious "flip-flop girl" who only wears orange flip-flops on her feet. Lupe is strong, confisent, and even more of an outsact than Vinnie. She's just teh type of friends Vinnie needs, if only Vinnie can ignore the rumora about Lupe's past.