Gr 4–8— An intensely readable novel in free verse, Vitalis's latest introduces Cayenne, 12, in her 1985 world of trying to fit in after a life lived on the road. Cayenne and her family have been traveling the country in their van, and she aches for a normal life where she doesn't have to compete with her six-month-old twin siblings for her mother's attention, or with depression and marijuana for her father's. When they settle into an old house in Montana for a fresh start, Cayenne finally gets to attend a mainstream middle school. However, fitting in is not easy, and the town's class and wealth disparities are very apparent. The story of the Titanic is woven throughout after Cayenne's teacher excitedly informs the class that the wreckage of the ship has been found, and the students are tasked with learning about the passengers aboard that fateful voyage. Vitalis expertly ties Cayenne's ponderings on class and wealth with the differences in survival rates of the passengers on the ship. The friendship and burgeoning romantic storylines are woven around Cayenne's complicated feelings regarding her unique family and their financial struggles, and readers will be exposed to thoughtful meditations on whether standing out or fitting in is the best option for middle schoolers. VERDICT An excellent and accessible read for fans of Sallie J. Pla's The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn and Dan Gemeinhart 's The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise . Recommended for all middle grade collections.— Kate Olson

It's 1985, and seventh-grader Cayenne has lived a nomadic homeschooled life. When her family settles down, she's excited for the opportunity to live a "normal" life for the first time. School and friends prove to be a constant reminder that her financial situation is different than that of her classmates. Though they're no longer living in a van, her parents still maintain their "hippie" ways, which embarrass Cayenne. She focuses on fitting in, but being "normal" might not be all its cracked up to be. The haves-versus-have-nots situation intensifies when layoffs hit the local sawmill, affecting many local families d the friendships between their kids. A Titanic-themed social studies project mirrors the classism Cayenne experiences, influencing her perception of her world. This historical novel in verse tackles tough topics without veering into preachy or teachy messaging. The verse makes the story accessible while creating space for emotional resonance. Realistic, flawed characters populate this world. Relatable and highly readable with themes of belonging, family, and social class.

A seventh grader with free-spirited parents can't wait to find a real home and friends of her ownIt's 1985, and Cayenne and her family have traded in their nomadic ways for a small Montana rental and the hope of more income. But money continues to be tight, her parents are fighting, and Cayenne can't seem to get the right kind of attention from the popular girls at school. When the discovery of theTitanic wreckage leads to a school assignment on the ship's passengers, Cayenne finds parallels between her life and the social stratification aboard the doomed vessel, which prompts her to consider what she thought she wanted and what she actually needs. This story centers the valuable perspective of a child growing up in a loving family with alternative norms, and it demonstrates respect for young readers with a bittersweet ending that feels authentic to the characters. While Cayenne comes through as flawed but sympathetic, many of the other cast members feel underdeveloped, and the verse format doesn't allow for sufficient exploration of and connection among the story's many emotional turns and themes. Vitalis thoughtfully and age-appropriately incorporates Cayenne's father's marijuana use, and she discusses the drug in relation to his PTSD in her author's note. Aside from the repetitive yet ambiguous racial marking of one of Cayenne's classmates, most characters are white.An uneven presentation of a worthwhile story.(Verse historical fiction. 8-12)