Finding Harmony - by Eric Walters (Paperback)

About the Book

In this middle-grade novel, Harmony moves back home with her mom after being in a foster home, but her mom hasn't dealt with her addiction issues and Harmony feels like she's the only one keeping her and her mom together.

Book Synopsis

So what if Harmony has to be the grown-up?

After months living in a foster home (again), Harmony convinces a judge that she can move back in with her mother. Her mom even finds an apartment that the social worker, Gloria, can't find fault with. But now Harmony has an even bigger battle ahead--trying to keep her mom on the straight and narrow, or at least keep Gloria from finding out when she slips. Which she does. A lot. Often left to fend for herself, Harmony finds an ally in Mr. Khaled, the owner of the convenience store across the street. He helps Harmony out with food in exchange for some part-time work. And at school, her principal seems to be on her side. Even so, it feels like Harmony's life is always one step from falling apart, and she can't really trust anyone.

Harmony knows the question is less about whether she'll return to foster care and more about when she's ready to do it.

Finding Harmony is the prequel to the Governor General's award-winning The King of Jam Sandwiches. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

★ "Tug at the heartstrings and tickle the funny bone...This warm tale is definitely one for the keeper shelves. Highly recommended." --School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review for The King of Jam Sandwiches

From the Back Cover

The only person Harmony can count on is herself After months of living in a foster home yet again, Harmony convinces a judge that she can move back in with her mother. But she has an even bigger battle ahead--trying to keep her mom on the straight and narrow, or at least keep her social worker from finding out when her mom slips. Which she does. A lot. Harmony feels like her life is always one step away from falling apart, and she can't really trust anyone. For her, the question is becoming less about if she'll return to foster care and more about when she'll be ready to do it.

Review Quotes

"A gripping story that readers will want to read to the very end. Highly recommended."

-- "CM: Canadian Review of Materials"

"From the outset [...] we are introduced to a strong, smart, independent child who has been through at least four foster homes. Finding Harmony is a heavy book that should, perhaps, come with trigger warnings for Harmony's troubled home life, but it is no less a stand-alone and a standout."

-- "Booklist"

"This sobering work is a powerful and realistic portrait of a struggling child. Resonant and haunting."

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

★ "Tug at the heartstrings and tickle the funny bone...This warm tale is definitely one for the keeper shelves. Highly recommended."-- "School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review for The King of Jam Sandwiches"

About the Author

Eric Walters is a Member of the Order of Canada and the author of over 125 books that have collectively won more than 100 awards including the Governor General's Literary Award for The King of Jam Sandwiches. A former teacher, Eric began writing as a way to get his fifth-grade students interested in reading and writing. Eric is a tireless presenter, speaking to over one hundred thousand students per year in schools across the country. He lives in Guelph, Ontario.