The Village by the Sea

In this award-winning novel by Paula Fox, young Emma is sent to stay with her bossy Aunt Bea on Long Island while her father undergoes surgery. During her two-week stay, Emma befriends a girl named Bertie, and together they create an intricate village of shells on the beach. As their friendship flourishes through imaginative play, an unexpected event forces Emma to confront deep truths about forgiveness and love. This thought-provoking story captures the complexities of human nature and the bonds that shape us.