Life, Loss, and Puffins

In this captivating novel by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde, thirteen-year-old Ru Evans, defined by her prodigious intelligence, seeks solace from her grief after her mother's death and the prospect of living with her aunt. Boarding near her college campus, she forms a deep, sibling-like bond with seventeen-year-old Gabriel, another outsider. Together, they embark on a spontaneous road trip from California to Canada, pursuing Ru's dream of witnessing Atlantic puffins in their natural habitat. As they navigate the journey, Ru experiences the joys of friendship and newfound freedom, transforming from a label of "freakishly smart" to simply enjoying life one day at a time.