Back to Bainbridge tells the story of Vicki, a 14-year-old girl forced to start over when her family is evicted from their home and must move in with her grandmother. Living in a small apartment in the Bronx, Vicki navigates strained family relationships and new responsibilities as she tries her best to make friends and help care for her younger siblings. She forges an instant connection with Rosa, her downstairs neighbor, but keeps her at arm's length due to her reluctance to let her guard down and trust others. More than anything, Vicki is determined to uncover long-held family secrets in hopes of reuniting with her estranged father and finding a sense of stability and belonging. Set against the vibrant backdrop of New York City, this timely coming-of-age novel explores the complex bonds of multi-generational families and a young teen's quest to define her identity. Back to Bainbridge delves into relevant themes of resilience, friendship, and self-discovery. As Vicki unravels mysteries about her father's disappearance, she also develops bonds with neighbors who become like chosen family. The support of those around her helps Vicki realize the importance of acceptance and appreciating life's gifts in the present. Back to Bainbridge offers an inspiring message about the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity through forgiveness, personal growth, and the healing power of family and friends. Vicki's journey demonstrates that people are more than their secrets and that love can conquer any obstacle.
A young teenage girl finds herself a step closer to growing up and finding herself in this must-read middle grade debut. Vicki and her younger siblings Dylan and Judith have to start over once again when her burnout mom loses another job and apartment, moving them back to their grandmother’s apartment on Bainbridge Avenue in the Bronx. Vicki has few things she can hold onto in her unstable young life, which makes her dream of finding her absent father all the more important to her. In the meantime, she again begins the slow process of establishing tentative roots, trying to make friends and build a life, this time with chores and structure from her grandmother. As those new responsibilities help her feel grown up and useful, she soon becomes close with Rosa, the daughter of the building’s superintendent—her heart does “a little flip” when Rosa refers to her as a “friend”—and also James, the neighborhood bad boy.With their help, Vicki decides to try to uncover the secrets that may lead her to her father. The children’s search takes them on a small adventure that brings Vicki, for the first time, into Manhattan, a trip that Lally captures with striking detail and buoyant energy. Along the way, amid much funny and believable chatter, the new friends learn what really matters: to rely on each other, that sometimes the truth hurts, and that it’s okay to count on others to do the things we can’t do for ourselves.
Vicki is a convincing and relatable heroine, one who makes mistakes and sees the world through a sometimes hurt, vulnerable lens. Her mother is an imperfect woman who tries her best even though she frequently falls short, and the supporting cast is complex, lively, and endearing. This is a moving, empathetic read that will resonate with young readers who have ever felt alone, misunderstood, or that if one thing were somehow different the world might finally make sense.
Takeaway: Moving, empathetic must-read of growing up and discovering what matters.
Comparable Titles: Nina LaCour’s We Are Okay, Jeff Zentner’s The Serpent King.
Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-
