National Network for Equitable Library Service

In Audrey Shafer's compelling debut novel, Gabe Pace remains trapped in Virginia's foster care system until a social worker finds his Uncle Vernon. As this crusty old Vietnam veteran connects with his nine-year-old nephew, Gabe grows to love his cantankerous but caring uncle. On his first day of sixth grade, however, Gabe discovers his uncle's dead body. Fearing a return to foster care, Gabe keeps Vernon's death a secret. But when he arrives home the next day, Gabe is shocked to find his uncle's body missing and a cryptic note in his mailbox: "I have a secret."