The Summer We Found the Baby

Gr 3-6–Told in three voices, this is a quick-paced story about a Long Island beach town, a mysterious baby, the sorrows of war, and the strength of unwavering hope. Eleven-year-old Julie and six-year-old Martha Sweet are on their way to attend the dedication of the new Belle Beach library when they discover a baby on the steps. In their haste to save the day, they don’t notice an envelope drop to the ground; but their neighbor, Bruno Ben-Eli, does. Bruno has bigger concerns, however. Having received a secret letter from his brother overseas, Bruno is on his way to run an important errand in New York City. But now that he’s a witness, he can’t let Julie kidnap a baby! What unfolds is a jumbled time line of events told by all three children. Each chapter brings new insight, and more intrigue. Will the library’s opening be a success? Will they hear news from Bruno’s brother? Will Julie and Bruno become friends? And most importantly: Who is the baby in the basket? With expert character development and clever narration from three distinct perspectives, Hest seamlessly immerses her readers into the hopes and fears of war-time America. It’s a simple premise: A baby found alone in a basket. Yet the complicated layering of events makes for a truly engaging and heartwarming story of steadfastness and solidarity.