Daylight Saving

This young adult novel blends a supernatural ghost story with a poignant exploration of trauma, mental health, and the power of friendship. Daniel, a reluctant vacationer, finds himself drawn into the mystery surrounding Lexi, a girl with a dark past and a stalker. The book sensitively addresses themes of depression, implied abuse, and the struggle to overcome past events, making it suitable for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers. It offers a gripping narrative while prompting discussions about resilience and empathy.

Can you save someone from something that’s already happened? Daniel’s expectations for his forced vacation with his father at the Leisure World Holiday Complex are low. He hates sports, and his father is mostly lost in drink and depression. But then he sees a strange girl swimming in the fake lake, and everything changes. Lexi has a smart mouth and a killer swim stroke, but dark secrets swirl around her. She’s got bruises and cuts that seem to be getting worse instead of better. She’s always alone. And her watch is ticking backwards. When a dark figure begins to stalk Lexi and Daniel, the truth must come out. This gripping ghost story will raise goose bumps and questions: does a traumatic past mean the future is a foregone conclusion?