Grace Under The Stars: A Coming of Age Novel Set in the 1980's

In the tradition of Nina LaCour’s We Are Okay, Grace Under The Stars explores the complexities of grief, resilience, and the search for belonging. Like LaCour’s poignant storytelling, this novel delves into the emotional journey of a young girl forced to navigate a world that has abruptly changed, and the strength it takes to find hope in the darkest of circumstances. With unforgettable characters and heart-wrenching moments, Grace Under The Stars will stay with you long after the final page.In the spring of 1983, twelve-year-old Grace thought her biggest worry would be a simple sleepover with her best friend, Ray Ann. But when Grace’s parents die in a devastating car crash, her life is forever changed. With nowhere else to turn, Grace is sent to a group home, where she’s placed under the care of the strict and mysterious Mrs. Dee.At first, the orphanage seems ordinary. But as days turn into months, Grace begins to realize that Mrs. Dee’s home is anything but normal. The rules are strange, the atmosphere oppressive, and the other girls seem to know things Grace doesn’t.One day, Victor—a seemingly kind and well-groomed man—moves into the house. Grace wants to trust him, but everything about his arrival feels wrong. As the tension builds and the girls begin to suffer under his watch, they make a desperate decision to escape, taking Grace with them.But life on the run is harder than they expected. The world outside the walls of the orphanage is vast, unpredictable, and filled with dangers they never imagined. Can Grace survive this new, harsh reality? Will she ever find a place where she truly belongs?Grace Under The Stars is a haunting, coming-of-age tale of survival, courage, and friendship against the backdrop of a world that doesn’t always play fair. Full of twists and heart-stopping moments, it’s a story about what happens when the safety of childhood is ripped away—and the fight for freedom begins.