Peluso’s of-the-moment debut novel centers on an imagined but utterly familiar contemporary tragedy. In the early days of Covid, the governor of Florida has issued a stay-at-home order, with only front-line “essential workers” exempt. Among them are single mother Chandra Powell, a worker at Oakbriar, a long-term care facility. Soon enough, like many of their patients, Chandra and the staff have fallen ill—in heartbreaking scene, a hospitalized Chandra can only speak to her oldest daughter through a window and her youngest children via FaceTime. Though 16 year-old Isabella, the oldest, calls their mom a “superhero,” the worst happens: Chandra dies, and the girls, desperate to avoid being split apart in the foster system, vow to take care of themselves.

Adults make that difficult, of course, both at the systemic and personal levels. Most worrisome is Lewis, a neighbor who watches the children’s apartment window and seems to know more than he lets on. (He calls Isabella “Bella Beauty” and makes declarations like “Just so you know, I keep secrets really good.”) As spring turns to summer, and Isabella tries to keep everyone fed and make sense of SNAP and unemployment benefits, Lewis grows creepier, the story grows darker, people from Chandra’s church begin sniffing around—and, reeling from shocks and trauma, Isabella and co. must face the possibility of discovery.

Throughout, Peluso demonstrates a firm command of how complex societal systems work (and fail), from Oakbriar to the state of Florida to a community-minded church and, ultimately, the justice system. She also understands the hearts and fears of kids, how daunting and inhumane those systems can appear from the outside, and the preciousness of stability and love. The storytelling tends toward a reportorial directness, as if she’s documenting a true case and trying not to editorialize. That approach distances reader from character, but it doesn’t diminish this scenario’s pained urgency—or ultimately hopeful conclusion.

Takeaway: A pained, realistic novel of children left parentless by the pandemic and vowing to get by on their own.

Great for fans of: Erin McKenzie’s Taking Chances, Cris Beam’s To the End of June.

Production grades
Cover: C+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-