Joy and her family just moved from a house where she had her own bedroom to a tiny apartment with thin walls and barely enough room to breathe. Her father recently lost his job, money is tight, and she can no longer take piano lessons. The plan to get her a piano is completely off the table. Music is her refuge, and without it, she’s feeling lost and incomplete. When Joy befriends Nora, a girl who lives in the same building, they become fast friends and Nora shows Joy “the hideout”—a room below a storage closet where kids in the building go for space and to talk. During a visit to the hideout, Joy discovers someone has been writing poetry on the walls in secret. The message is clear—this person isn’t happy with life. Joy is determined to help and to figure out who is writing the messages.

This is a story of family, struggle, friendship, and trust. Joy and Nora have some conflicts, but there isn’t any girl drama. The book tackles the issue of financial struggle, parental separation, and many more issues facing young people today. The story is engaging,and many young readers will relate to the characters and their struggles. There isn’t any major drama, violence, and potentially heavy issues are addressed in an age appropriate way.

This is a great book for advanced younger readers, especially those in 2nd and 3rd grade. Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME