The Girl in Between

She lives with her ma in an old abandoned mill.  She has to be invisible, so the authorities can't get her.  They used to live with her grandmother, and she was much happier then.  She always had food to eat and a safe place to sleep, but now it's just her and ma.  Ma promised to always come back, and the girl promised to never leave. 

Ma promised she wouldn't drink anymore, but sometimes she slips up.

The girl calls the mill a castle because it's so much better than any other place they've lived.  They've been there for a year and eight months, but the nearby construction is creeping closer and closer.

The girl would be happy to stay in the castle forever, but it doesn't seem like that will be possible. 

Sarah Carroll's new book is a heartbreaking look at homelessness and the devastating consequences of mental illness and addiction especially for the children of those who suffer.  The author is successful at portraying events in a way that keeps the story appropriate for middle school readers while more mature readers will grasp the nuances of the situation.  Recommended.