Here in the Real World

In this touching middle grade novel by the acclaimed author of Pax, introverted dreamer Ware faces a summer filled with challenges after his parents enroll him in Rec camp, where social interaction is unavoidable. He meets the tough and secretive Jolene, who introduces him to a hidden sanctuary: a garden in the ruins of an abandoned church, offering both solace and a sense of belonging. As their refuge comes under threat, Ware embraces the knights' Code of Chivalry, sparking a journey that questions what it truly means to be a hero in the real world. Together, these two misfits navigate their differences while discovering the power of friendship and resilience.