Readers who loved The Thing About Jellyfish and Goodbye Stranger will find a mysterious magic and unforgettable friendship in The Someday Suitcase, from the critically acclaimed author of Rules for Stealing Stars. This middle grade novel is an excellent choice for tween readers in grades 5 to 6, especially during homeschooling. It’s a fun way to keep your child entertained and engaged while not in the classroom.

A Bank Street Books Best Children's Book of 2018!

Clover and Danny are the kind of best friends who make each other even better. They’re so important to each other that Clover believes they’re symbiotic: her favorite science word, which describes two beings who can’t function without the other.

But when Danny comes down with a mysterious illness that won’t go away, the doctors can’t figure out what’s wrong with him. So Clover decides to take matters into her own hands by making lists—list of Danny’s symptoms, his good days, his bad days.

As the evidence piles up, only one thing becomes clear: Danny is only better when Clover is around.

Suddenly it feels like time is running out for Clover and Danny to do everything they’ve planned together—to finally see snow, to go on a trip with the suitcase they picked out together. Will science be able to save Danny, or is this the one time when magic can overcome the unthinkable?

An Unbreakable Bond: Clover and Danny believe they are symbiotic—two beings who can’t function without each other. But their friendship is tested when one of them gets sick and might not get better.
Science and Magic: When doctors are stumped by Danny’s mysterious illness, Clover turns to the scientific method, making lists and tracking data. But she soon discovers a power between them that feels more like magic.
Dealing with Loss: A touching and honest exploration of childhood grief, perfect for young readers navigating the illness or loss of a loved one.
A Coming of Age Story: With time running out, the two friends hold onto their dream of a trip with their “someday suitcase” in this poignant tale of growing up, letting go, and holding on to hope.