The Carnival at Bray

About this book

This remarkable novel, a Printz Honor winner and William C. Morris Award finalist, follows a teen during her life-changing move to Ireland. A searing exploration of grief, first love, and the transformative power of music, the book--now with a new letter from the author--is perfect for fans of Emergency Contact, We Are Okay, and I'll Give You the Sun. Sixteen-year-old Maggie Lynch's heart pulses to the beat of Pearl Jam and the Smashing Pumpkins, but when her mother uproots them from Chicago to a tiny town in Ireland, Maggie struggles to adjust. Her uncle Kevin, who happens to be a grunge musician, is her only connection to home. Though he keeps Maggie supplied with the latest issues of Spin, she still feels totally isolated.When a visit from Kevin goes wrong and tragedy strikes, Maggie knows that she can't let the world pass her by a moment longer. To fulfill a dying wish, she breaks her mother's rules by traveling to Rome for a concert. The journey is harder than she ever guessed, but maybe, along the way, Maggie will learn to live her life to the fullest.Set in 1993, this unforgettable YA novel is a love letter to the music that defines a generation--and the family that breaks your heart. 90s Grunge Soundtrack: From Chicago to a tiny town in Ireland, Maggie's life is set to the beat of Pearl Jam, the Smashing Pumpkins, and the mixtape her uncle Kevin sends her from home. A Poignant Story of Grief: When tragedy strikes, Maggie is left adrift. This raw and honest novel explores the messy reality of losing the one person who understood you. A Gentle First Love: In the misty Irish landscape, a tentative romance with a local boy named Eoin offers a glimmer of hope and a chance to feel something other than pain. Fish Out of Water: A Chicago teen trying to find her place among the track suits and gold necklaces of her new Irish classmates, feeling like she'll never fit in.