A Ring of Endless Light

In Madeleine L'Engle's Newbery Honor book, "A Ring of Endless Light," 15-year-old Vicky Austin spends a pivotal summer on an island with her dying grandfather. As she navigates the emotional turmoil of his deteriorating health and the recent deaths of others, Vicky finds herself at the center of attention for three distinct boys, each dealing with their own grief and desires. A unique element of the story is Vicky's developing telepathic communication with dolphins, which offers her solace and a path to understanding life's mysteries. This book is ideal for middle-grade readers aged 10-14, offering a rich exploration of grief, faith, first love, and self-discovery, handled with L'Engle's characteristic philosophical depth. Parents should be prepared for discussions around death and existential questions.

After a tumultuous year in New York City, the Austins are spending the summer on the small island where their grandfather lives. He’s very sick, and watching his condition deteriorate as the summer passes is almost more than Vicky can bear. To complicate matters, she finds herself as the center of attention for three very different boys. Zachary Grey, the troubled and reckless boy Vicky met last summer, wants her all to himself as he grieves the loss of his mother. Leo Rodney has been just a friend for years, but the tragic loss of his father causes him to turn to Vicky for comfort—and romance. And then there’s Adam Eddington. Adam is only asking Vicky to help with his research on dolphins. But Adam—and the dolphins—may just be what Vicky needs to get through this heartbreaking summer.