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Finding Harmony
So what if Harmony has to be the grown-up?
After months living in a foster home (again), Harmony convinces a judge that she can move back in with her mother. Her mom even finds an apartment that the social worker, Gloria, can't find fault with. But now Harmony has an even bigger battle ahead—trying to keep her mom on the straight and narrow, or at least keep Gloria from finding out when she slips. Which she does. A lot. Often left to fend for herself, Harmony finds an ally in Mr. Khaled, the owner of the convenience store across the street. He helps Harmony out with food in exchange for some part-time work. And at school, her principal seems to be on her side. Even so, it feels like Harmony’s life is always one step from falling apart, and she can't really trust anyone.
Harmony knows the question is less about whether she'll return to foster care and more about when she's ready to do it.
Finding Harmony is the prequel to the Governor General's award-winning The King of Jam Sandwiches. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
★ “Tug at the heartstrings and tickle the funny bone…This warm tale is definitely one for the keeper shelves. Highly recommended.” —School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review for The King of Jam Sandwiches
After months living in a foster home (again), Harmony convinces a judge that she can move back in with her mother. Her mom even finds an apartment that the social worker, Gloria, can't find fault with. But now Harmony has an even bigger battle ahead—trying to keep her mom on the straight and narrow, or at least keep Gloria from finding out when she slips. Which she does. A lot. Often left to fend for herself, Harmony finds an ally in Mr. Khaled, the owner of the convenience store across the street. He helps Harmony out with food in exchange for some part-time work. And at school, her principal seems to be on her side. Even so, it feels like Harmony’s life is always one step from falling apart, and she can't really trust anyone.
Harmony knows the question is less about whether she'll return to foster care and more about when she's ready to do it.
Finding Harmony is the prequel to the Governor General's award-winning The King of Jam Sandwiches. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.
★ “Tug at the heartstrings and tickle the funny bone…This warm tale is definitely one for the keeper shelves. Highly recommended.” —School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review for The King of Jam Sandwiches
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2025
4 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
Eric Walters
158 books910 followersEric was born in Toronto in 1957, which makes him "real old". But, as Eric says, "Just because I have to grow old doesn't mean that I have to grow up!" In his many roles as parent, teacher, social worker, youth sports coach and writer he is in constant contact with children and young adults. He draws from these experiences and feels that this helps him to capture the realistic interaction between young people—the conflicts, tensions, stresses and interests that make up their lives.
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 26, 2025
This is a companion to The King of Jam Sandwiches, but you could read this one without knowing that. I kind of want to experience TKJS after reading this now.
June 7, 2025
If this isn't a kick in the gut. What a book. Walters writes this eloquently and with so much heart. Harmony is a girl who loves her mother but her mother is an addict with life rather than parenting at the center of her world. So when Harmony successfully advocates for herself to live back with her mother rather than a foster care situation, the upheaval begins all over again, but as Harmony ages, she's trying to manage it and keep everyone else in the dark about just how unstable the situation is.
She does have one person though, an older store owner that lives in the neighborhood they've moved to. This relationship... this relationship. It's like a hot cup of tea. Warm, loving, all-encompassing. He wants her to see that she is capable, she should be loved, she is worthy of good things-- and that her mom isn't able to provide them as she screams at EMTs taking her away in an ambulance or when she stays out all night. And even the principal, who remembered her from when he taught her in the fifth or maybe seventh school she had attended. He vows to do better for her as well.
She's a fighter. She's going to succeed. Realistic message and realistic portrayal of stressful family situations and the foster care system that would be good readalikes to Shark Teeth, The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman, or Boy 2.0, or Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival & Hope in an American City.
"Not about mommy," he said quietly. "About life. Are you worried?" I didn't want to lie to him. "All the time. I'm worried all the time." It felt weird to finally say it out loud. "But at least I have my mother." He shook his head. "No. She has you. You have nobody." A tear came to my eye. I wiped it away before he could see it.
She does have one person though, an older store owner that lives in the neighborhood they've moved to. This relationship... this relationship. It's like a hot cup of tea. Warm, loving, all-encompassing. He wants her to see that she is capable, she should be loved, she is worthy of good things-- and that her mom isn't able to provide them as she screams at EMTs taking her away in an ambulance or when she stays out all night. And even the principal, who remembered her from when he taught her in the fifth or maybe seventh school she had attended. He vows to do better for her as well.
She's a fighter. She's going to succeed. Realistic message and realistic portrayal of stressful family situations and the foster care system that would be good readalikes to Shark Teeth, The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman, or Boy 2.0, or Invisible Child: Poverty, Survival & Hope in an American City.
"Not about mommy," he said quietly. "About life. Are you worried?" I didn't want to lie to him. "All the time. I'm worried all the time." It felt weird to finally say it out loud. "But at least I have my mother." He shook his head. "No. She has you. You have nobody." A tear came to my eye. I wiped it away before he could see it.
January 12, 2026
Let me just start this review by saying I read this book for work, for the Red Maple Reading Challenge. Children are to read this book then come to staff & do a verbal report. I did enjoy this book, for a young adult category. As a mother, I couldn't fathom acting that way towards my daughter, but I think the author wrote her well, without being too explicit (again- this is a YA read). The main character Harmony was also well written, & he developed the relationship between her & the variety store owner so naturally- I really enjoyed that. The climax of the book leaves you wanting more, but not necessarily in what I would call the best way. I felt the need for their to be more elaboration as to what happened to the child. Were they happy in their decision? What happened to the Mom? What happened to Mr. Variety Store man (whose name escapes me atm)? This book would have rounded out really nicely if there was a last short chapter of a glimpse into the future- 3 months or so. Sadly it just left me kind of angry. To be along for the ride & invested, & then sort of just left hanging.
It should be noted that this book is part of a 2 part series named Finding Their Way- though it is not necessary to read Book 1 before Book2, as there was no mention of the first's materials.
It should be noted that this book is part of a 2 part series named Finding Their Way- though it is not necessary to read Book 1 before Book2, as there was no mention of the first's materials.
December 14, 2024
13yo Harmony has been placed in foster care several times; her mom can’t keep it together, she dates creepy men, is an alcoholic and she has a drug habit. But she’s still Harmony’s mom, and home is best, right? But Harmony finds herself taking care of her mom, so who is taking care of Harmony?
I’ve read several of Eric Walter’s short Orca Soundings, and it was exciting to read a full length novel. It was so good! Harmony is a great character, smart and spunky but vulnerable and scared. I wanted to help her but knew I couldn’t. Can't help but wonder how many of my students face troubles similar to Harmony’s. Harmony and her mother default white.
I’ve read several of Eric Walter’s short Orca Soundings, and it was exciting to read a full length novel. It was so good! Harmony is a great character, smart and spunky but vulnerable and scared. I wanted to help her but knew I couldn’t. Can't help but wonder how many of my students face troubles similar to Harmony’s. Harmony and her mother default white.
January 17, 2026
I picked up this middle grade novel while on vacation in Vancouver, knowing little about it. I read the entire book tonight - unable to set it down for long because I needed to know if Harmony was going to make it.
Absolutely heartbreaking, and I can’t fathom being the child of an addict in this way, constantly having to worry about how to pay the rent, being sent to foster care regularly, and watching as your only parent sold off all of the items in your home for drug money. What a well-told story of bravery, loss, fear, and hope.
Oh, and as for Mr. Khaled and Dougie? They’re like a warm hug. I won’t forget them anytime soon.
Absolutely heartbreaking, and I can’t fathom being the child of an addict in this way, constantly having to worry about how to pay the rent, being sent to foster care regularly, and watching as your only parent sold off all of the items in your home for drug money. What a well-told story of bravery, loss, fear, and hope.
Oh, and as for Mr. Khaled and Dougie? They’re like a warm hug. I won’t forget them anytime soon.
July 8, 2024
I really like this author's writing style.
The story was interesting, and I feel. True to reality. Having said that, I really disliked Harmony and her mother. Harmony desperately wanted to be with her mother, expecting that she would change, and when that does not happen, she literally became the parent and basically ordered people around as the solution.
Still very well written, and the characters are pretty fleshed out.
The story was interesting, and I feel. True to reality. Having said that, I really disliked Harmony and her mother. Harmony desperately wanted to be with her mother, expecting that she would change, and when that does not happen, she literally became the parent and basically ordered people around as the solution.
Still very well written, and the characters are pretty fleshed out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2025
Once again, Walters has told a story that will prove a positive for some readers. He takes difficult topics and makes them accessible for YA readers. That’s why kids continue to read him. One thing I appreciated in this book was the portrayal of the caring adults in Harmony's life. It is good to see that educators, community members and even the police were portrayed as a positive force when Harmony's life was spinning out of her control.
September 28, 2024
E ARC provided by Edelweiss
This was a great sequel/companion to King of the Jam Sandwiches. Walters has so much empathy, and his ability to tell a story is unrivaled. I love seeing him do such a variety of topics.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
This was a great sequel/companion to King of the Jam Sandwiches. Walters has so much empathy, and his ability to tell a story is unrivaled. I love seeing him do such a variety of topics.
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...
October 23, 2025
The book certainly touches on the heartstrings and it's an easy read. It starts with some humour and you will be amazed by the resilience and ties of family. But ultimately it left me feeling sad for children everywhere who are neglected.
March 27, 2025
A super brutal topic but written so well. Definitely too old for my students but great for older kids.
May 14, 2025
Easy read. Kept my interest.
September 5, 2025
Read it in one sitting. First YA book I’ve read in a while. Reminds me so much of my students 😢
March 16, 2025
Learning when to stop.
(4.5)
Finding Harmony is a book that pulled on to all the right heartstrings to make me tear up more than once. In this narrative from the POV of a 13 year-old girl, we take a deep look into the struggles that many kids around the world face in their everyday life. I fell in love with Harmony. She is brave, smart, and kind. I also loved that not all the adults in her life failed her, and that was what helped her stay strong and have faith. Eric Walters did a wonderful job in bringing Harmony to life and touch on the many aspects children have to endure when the people who should be taking care of them fail to do so.
I can't wait to read The King of Jam Sandwiches.
(4.5)
Finding Harmony is a book that pulled on to all the right heartstrings to make me tear up more than once. In this narrative from the POV of a 13 year-old girl, we take a deep look into the struggles that many kids around the world face in their everyday life. I fell in love with Harmony. She is brave, smart, and kind. I also loved that not all the adults in her life failed her, and that was what helped her stay strong and have faith. Eric Walters did a wonderful job in bringing Harmony to life and touch on the many aspects children have to endure when the people who should be taking care of them fail to do so.
I can't wait to read The King of Jam Sandwiches.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews