Haven

Gr 5 Up–Middle schooler Mardella Houston and her mom secretly moved from Illinois to Haven, MN, in the middle of the night to start a new life away from her abusive, drug-addict father. Mardella’s 911 call the last time her dad was violent towards her mom is the reason they’re at Rest Haven Senior Living, where her mom now works. Rest Haven is run-down and drab, but Mardella knows she can make it look brighter and more welcoming for the residents. As Mardella works to spruce up Rest Haven, she makes friends with the residents and some of their grandchildren. They plant flowers, paint walls, and make a mural. But, when Mardella’s father gets out of jail, finds out where they are, and makes his way to Haven to find them, the new life Mardella and her mother have is in jeopardy. Mardella thinks it’s up to her to keep everyone safe. This middle grade novel deals with domestic violence, drug addiction, and incarceration, but is sometimes rushed in how it approaches these difficult topics. The resolution wraps up neatly, without much discussion of the ramifications of such a dangerous, upsetting situation for Mardella and her mother.