Nominated for the William C. Morris YA Debut Award

A Kirkus Best Teen Book of 2012

"Broken but resilient, Portia is a sympathetic heroine whose simple, unadorned need for love and acceptance will be immediately recognizable to any young reader."
—Bulletin

"This will appeal to readers looking for something a bit different than most YA fare."
—Booklist

"Through skillful description, the dreariness of the Home and the fantastical nature of the carnival world comes vividly to life."
—Horn Book

"This predominantly third-person narration is richly textured with psychological tension, complex characterization, a vivid setting, and a suspenseful plot . . . one will be spellbound by this intriguing reading experience."
—SLJ

* "Infused with nostalgia and affection, this celebration of the deliberately constructed self will hold readers in its spell from beginning to end."
—Kirkus, starred review

Hannah Barnaby holds an MA in Children’s Literature from Simmons College and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College. Formerly a children’s book editor, she has also worked as a bookseller and a writing instructor. Hannah was the first writer to earn the Children’s Writer in Residency at the Boston Public Library. Visit Hannah at hannahbarnaby.com, or follow her on Twitter@HannahRBarnaby or Instagram@hannahbarnaby.