A Place Apart

Paula Fox's National Book Award-winning novel, "A Place Apart," follows Victoria Finch as she grapples with the profound grief of her father's death and the upheaval of moving to a small town outside Boston. Feeling like an outsider at her new school, Victoria is drawn into the orbit of Hugh Todd, a charming and wealthy older boy who takes an interest in her writing. While Hugh's attention initially invigorates Victoria, she slowly uncovers the manipulative nature of their friendship, learning a difficult lesson about trust, self-worth, and the complexities of human relationships. This lyrical novel is ideal for young adult readers aged 12-18, offering a sensitive exploration of loss, the challenges of adolescence, and the journey of finding one's own identity amidst change.

Shortly after her father's death, Victoria and her mother move to a small village outside of Boston where she meets a wealthy teenage boy who teaches her a valuable but painful lesson about life.