Beth Hautala

Waiting for Unicorns Beth Hautala

A novel about one girl?s journey to the arctic, where she discovers the power of letting go of pain and opening up to second chances

When twelve-year-old Talia—still reeling from the recent death of her mother—is forced to travel with her emotionally and physically distant whale-researcher father to the Arctic for the summer, she begins to wonder if the broken pieces inside of her will ever begin to heal. Like her jar of wishes, Talia feels bottled up and torn. Everything about life in Churchill feels foreign, including Sura, the traditional Inuit woman whom Talia must live with. But when Sura exposes her to the tradition of storytelling, she unlocks something within Talia that has long since been buried: her ability to hope, to believe again in making wishes come true.

A rich and poignant story about opening up—to new people, to second chances, to moving forward with life.
  
  
Praise for Waiting for Unicorns:

"Debut author Hautala's writing in this first-person narrative is lyrical and evocative; her descriptions of the landscape are vivid. Written by an author to watch, this quiet story of loss and healing will appeal to thoughtful readers." --Kirkus Reviews

"This poignant story demonstrates that opening up to new experiences, places, and people can enrich life even in the aftermath of tragedy."--School Library Journal

“[An] affecting exploration of grief and the hope that can come through the love of good friends. With spellbinding descriptions…this story will stay with readers.?--Publishers Weekly

“Contemplative writing…a thoughtful examination of loss and hope.?--Booklist