Middle-Grade Review: The Way to Stay in Destiny

I always enjoy Augusta Scattergood's middle-grade novels, including Glory Be, and Making Friends with Billy Wong, so I'm not sure why The Way to Stay in Destiny sat on my TBR shelves for so long (admittedly, it wasn't alone!). I'm glad I finally got to it because I loved this warm, fun novel about making your own family and figuring out who you are.

In the 70's, twelve-year-old Theo, whose full name is Thelonius Monk (listen to his namesake below), arrives on a bus in Destiny, FL, with an uncle he doesn't know, leaving behind his entire life. He lost his parents when he was very young, and now the grandparents who raised him are no longer able to care for him, and their farm in Kentucky has been sold. Theo and his Uncle Raymond have traveled all the way to Destiny for a job for Raymond, but what will Theo do in this place where he knows no one? His uncle is a Vietnam vet who doesn't even seem to like Theo much. They arrive at Miss Sister Grandersole's Rooming House and Dance Academy, and Theo spots something that might make this place a little better: a huge piano. There are two things in the world that Theo loves (besides his grandparents and the farm)--playing the piano and baseball. But on their first day at the rooming house, Uncle Raymond forbids Theo to play the piano, even though Miss Sister encourages him. Luckily, he meets a friend that first day, a mischievous girl named Anabel who will be in his grade at his new school. Not only will he have a friend the first day, but Anabel loves baseball as much as he does--and a lot more than the stupid dance lessons her mother makes her take. When Theo and Anabel partner on a school project to look into the town's history and figure out whether the great Hank Aaron once lived there, Theo begins to think Destiny might not be all that bad after all.

I just loved this sweet, warm-hearted novel about friendship, family, and identity. Like all of Scattergood's novels, the characters feel real, and I was immediately drawn into their lives. Theo is a likable kid who is struggling to come to terms with the massive changes in his life. Issues of loss, PTSD, and figuring out what's important to you are addressed through the story in a way that will be comforting and encouraging to kids. It's a great story with a little mystery and a lot of heart!

179 pages, Scholastic
 Scholastic Audio

Listen to a sample of the audiobook here, of a scene with Theo and Anabel doing research for their project, and/or download it from Audible.

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