Where the Light Shines In

by Jenny Mattern

“...if there’s one thing my thirteen years of life have taught me, it’s that having parents who love you doesn’t erase the somebody else who brought you into the world.”


Despite being adopted into a loving family, thirteen-year-old Gloria feels as if her life is a bit too much like the crossword puzzles she and her dad enjoy solving together: too many empty spaces and not enough clues.

For as long as she can remember, Gloria has studied the faces of random women in the hopes of finding her birth mother. But when she finally lands on the perfect candidate, it’s in a place she never could have expected—an obituary photo.

Determined to learn more about this dead woman who looks just like her, Gloria embarks on a secret mission to fill in the gaps of her origin story.

At first, finding answers about her past feels exactly right. But as the lies Gloria tells keep piling up, and each step toward her biological family takes her farther from the parents who have loved her forever, she starts to wonder if she’ll ever be able to fill her empty spaces. Because how can you feel truly whole when you’re shattering from the inside out?

Genres: Middle Grade, Contemporary, Adoption, Realistic Fiction

221 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 29, 2026

About the author

In the sixth grade, Jenny Mattern’s teacher wrote a note at the top of one of her stories telling her to keep up the “great” work. The quotation marks around the word great have haunted her ever since. In addition to creating stories that she hopes will finally meet Mrs. G’s approval, Jenny spends her free moments writing poetry, experimenting with new recipes, and chasing the high of her September 2024 Wordle-in-one.

Born and raised in the Seattle area, Jenny now lives in Montana with her family and a menagerie of pets. Where the Light Shines In is her debut novel.

Reviews

[Havelah McLat]

Review is coming soon.

[Melanie Dulaney]

Middle grade readers will need to have a tissue box handy for this real life inspired novel about adoption, family, opening your heart plus some possible thought provoking looks on honesty and communication.

13 year old, 8th grader Gloria Gibson has known for most of her life that she was adopted and her middle name “Joy” was selected by her parents in response to what she brought into their lives. She also knows the joy of family complete with a dad who does crossword puzzles and reads the advice column with her every morning and mom who loves unconditionally using both words and actions. However, as many adoptees, she has long wondered about the woman who gave birth to her and the circumstances behind being left at a nearby cathedral a short time after being born.

“…if there’s one thing my thirteen years of life have taught me, it’s that having parents who love you doesn’t erase the somebody else who brought you into the world,” says Gloria.

An obituary for a woman named Amanda, discovered during their morning routine, has both Gloria and her dad stunned at the likeness between Gloria and the deceased setting her down a path of deceit in order to attend the funeral and contact Amanda’s sister, possibly her biological Aunt Dani. Keeping this solo train trip secret from her parents as well as a subsequent meeting in a coffee shop, frequent texts and eventually a day long trip to Amanda’s home to pack up her belongings lead to more subterfuge, a developing relationship with the woman who is most certainly her aunt as well as the story of Dani and Amanda’s difficult childhood, Gloria’s birth and the decision to leave her at the church. Along with this main plotline, author Jenny Mattern includes a strong friendship between Gloria and Lottie, a school project on DNA, and the surprising results of a DNA/ancestry test.

Mattern’s debut novel has strong main characters in Lottie, her parents, Dani and Lottie with only a few lesser developed supporting characters, keeping the focus on the main theme on Gloria, her adoption, and the two distinct branches of her family tree. Emotions are raw, clearly expressed and run the gamut from anger, grief, and anxiety to more pleasant joy, anticipation, and love. Readers will learn a bit about DNA and much about the experience of being adopted and one fictional person’s search for biological family. All these elements and more make this an excellent choice for home, school and public middle grade libraries and the just over 200 page count makes it approachable for most in the target age group.

*Target age range: grade 5-8
*Profanity: none
*Violence: inferred hardships and possible violence in Dani and Amanda’s childhood; an individual’s solitary, angry outburst resulting in destruction of household objects
*Representation: adoptee and her biological and found families; homelessness
*LBGTQ+: none

Thanks for the early look via DRC, Edelweiss and Jolly Fish Press.

[Laura Roettiger]

Thanks to Netgalley for an Advance Reader Copy of Where the Light Shines In. I love reading well written Middle Grade about big topics, in this case adoption, that are really getting at the universal question of identity. This is something most, maybe all teenagers struggle with at some point. In Where The Light Shines In, thirteen year old Gloria has an amazing, supportive best friend - think ride or die, will bury the bodies first and ask questions later! and two loving parents who by all accounts are providing the home life most kids only dream of. She and her dad bond over the weekend crossword puzzle and advice column, her parents have a loving relationship, the family has weekly pizza and movie nights. It's a pretty ideal setup by any measure. Gloria is adopted and she and her BFF spend time looking at the faces of random women wondering one if of them might be Gloria's birth mother. They've made it a game. One day, Gloria sees an obituary with a photo of a young woman who looks like her and is 'old enough to be her mother.'
And so we have the wonderful setup for a story to unfold. Author Jenny Mattern has an easy writing style that takes the reader on a believable journey with Gloria as she searches for her birth mother and the emotional stakes of finding information she's wondered about 'her whole life' which leads to hiding things from her parents who she truly loves. Things get complicated, just like life. There's a lot packed into this book and I'm not one to give things away so I'll just say it will make a great book group book for any age (I'm talking about adults, too!) and I think the subject of adoption is handled well throughout the novel. Recommend this book for upper MG and older. Many discussion-worthy elements and there are discussion questions in the back of the book.

[Dani Terk]

Thank you NetGalley and North Star Editions/Jolly Fish Press for an eARC of WHERE THE LIGHT SHINES IN by Jenny Mattern.

WHERE THE LIGHT SHINES IN is the story of thirteen-year-old adoptee Gloria who plays the “Birth Mother” Game with her best friend, in which they rate strangers’ likelihood of being Gloria’s birth mother based on physical similarities. When a perfect ten looks up at her from the obituary page of her local newspaper, Gloria is determined to attend the woman’s funeral and learn about her likely birth mother. But finding the answers she desperately needs requires spinning a web of lies, implicating her best friend in the process, and hurting the people who love her most. And she’s not the only one concealing the truth.

WHERE THE LIGHT SHINES IN is a beautifully written story that is equally heartbreaking and heartwarming. Mattern illuminates the complex emotions related to adoption for adoptees, their adoptive families, and biological parents alike and treats all involved with incredible empathy and compassion. I loved how Gloria’s sense of identity and definition of family evolved so poignantly over the course of the novel. The symbolism of fixing broken pottery with gold to show that there is beauty in the broken places was also a perfect parallel to Gloria’s journey and a helpful reminder to young and old(er) readers alike.

Raw, honest, and hopeful, WHERE THE LIGHT SHINES IN is a must-read for adoptees, the families that love them, fans of heartfelt middle-grade contemporaries, and anyone who’s ever teared up listening to “What It Sounds Like” from KPop Demon Hunters.

[Ari Koontz]

I was SO lucky to get my hands on an advance readers' copy of this book from the author, and I am so so so excited for it to be on shelves SOON!

Where The Light Shines In is a heartfelt and luminous story about thirteen-year-old Gloria, an adoptee who loves her parents and also can't help but wonder about the strangers who gave her up. As someone who doesn't share this experience, I was completely drawn in by how Jenny Mattern describes Gloria's complicated feelings, and my heart truly ached for her as she went on her journey to learn more about her birth mother, who she thinks she may have finally discovered... through an obituary notice. OOF. I loved how warm and supportive her parents were (especially Dad!) and also totally empathized with her struggle to tell them about her feelings, which leads to some stressful - but BRAVE - moments as she navigates a complicated path toward the truth. Also, bonus points for the Pacific Northwest setting, which was cozy and moody in the best way, and for the gorgeous metaphors & imagery throughout. If you've never had Big Feelings about pottery, LET ME TELL YOU, it's coming!!

I'm so grateful for the chance to let Gloria, Lottie, Amanda, Dani, and Rudy into my heart, and I know that young readers - whether they're an adoptee, know someone who is, or are curious to learn about what it's like - are going to cherish and treasure this book in all its earnest beauty.

[Rebecca Weber]

A poignant look at adoption and what it means to be a family! I didn’t know what to expect when I started Jenny Mattern’s debut, WHERE THE LIGHT SHINES IN, but from the very first chapter, I was hooked! Thirteen-year-old Gloria is a relatable character for middle grade kids in her resourcefulness, humor, and desire to know more about her roots and identity. Even when she made mistakes, I genuinely hoped she would find the answers she was seeking. Having always wondered about her birth family, Gloria stumbles on an obituary photo that’s like looking in a mirror—the woman in the picture just has to be her birth mother. Gloria attends the woman’s funeral (unbeknownst to her parents) and starts communicating with her biological aunt to learn more about the events leading to her being put up for adoption as a baby. The further Gloria explores her family tree, the harder it is to keep from navigating rickety limbs of secrets and lies. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of an adorable Boston Terrier, Rudy, within the core cast of characters (my two Boston Terriers highly approve of the representation). Mattern handled the topic of adoption with grace, not shying away from some of the harder questions adopted children inevitably ask as they grow older. At its heart, WHERE THE LIGHT SHINES IN speaks to the desire we have as humans to belong to a family and the invisible strands of love that connect us all.

[Joey-Susan]

Thank you so much to Jolly Fish Press and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

Gloria was adopted and she loves her adopted parents with her whole heart, but part of her feels the loss of her birth parents. She takes this gap to search for her mother, seeking anything about her she can, then she finds she’s deceased and wants her answers more than ever, but also feels guilty to the parents that raise and love her.

What a gorgeous and stunningly heartwarming book. The topic is such a delicate topic but is handled literally so perfectly and beautifully. After Gloria sees a photo of a face that looks like her it sets her already curious mind going, her adopted parents don’t want her to pursue it but she knew that had too, to understand her mom and where she came from.

I loved that Gloria has an amazing connection with her adopted parents, they have so much love for each other. I also love that she still wanted to understand where she came from and who it was that gave her up. Even though her parents disapproved she never let it stop her determination or curiosity.

I loved reading this book, it was absolutely beautiful and very heartwarming. It’s sad, it’s lovely, it captures the whirring questions most adopted children have in their minds and give you a little mystery to unfold. It’s a perfect read for upper middle grade, it is written so incredibly well.

[Beth A]

In recent years, middle grade authors have tackled many challenges in their plots that cause readers in this age group to be confused and overwhelmed. Jenny Mattern's debut middle grade novel, Where the Light Shines In, delves into adoption and a 13-year-old girl's intense need to find her own identity. This book is beautifully written and young readers will find the friendship between Gloria, the main character, and Lottie, her best friend since second grade, enviable.
Gloria has known she was adopted since she was young, but a discussion of DNA in her science class, a game Gloria and Lottie play, and questions about her birth mother lead Gloria on a fact-finding quest. As the plot unfolds, the eventual support of her adoptive parents and the scheming of her "got-your-back" friend, Lottie, lead to unpredictable twists and turns in Gloria's life as her search intensifies. The book is set in Seattle, a city I'm very familiar with, and the author's description of this exciting city adds interest to an already-engaging novel.
Many kudos to Jenny Mattern for approaching adoption with honesty while thoughtfully developing the confusing emotions experienced by many adoptees, foster children, and stepchildren. Readers will enjoy the bonds between Gloria, her parents, and Lottie, and the surprising ending only adds to the appeal of this book!

[Vicky]

Gloria is adopted and she and her best friend Lottie play the Birth Mother Game looking at faces wondering if one could potentially be her birth mother. One day she sees a picture, Amanda, in the obituaries that looks just like her. She wants to go to the memorial and talk to the sister of Amanda. Her parents say no, but Gloria lies and is able to go. She hands the sister, Dani, a note and runs out. Dani texts her and the two meet up. Again, Gloria has not told her parents and Lottie helps with the lying. In the meantime, Gloria’s parents know she’s curious about her birth mom so they sent for DNA testing for them all. Dani asks Gloria to help her pack up Amanda’s things and says take wha you want. When they leave from packing Lottie tells her her parents know the whole story and where’s she’s at. They all meet up and Gloria is in trouble for lying. Later when Gloria gets the DNA results she is shocked. What did she find out?
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Sarah]

There are some books that pull you in with big twists or nonstop action, and then there are books like Where the Light Shines In that win you over because of how deeply you care about the people on the page. Gloria is one of those characters. Her voice was genuine, age-appropriate, and full of the kinds of thoughts and emotions that make you feel like you're sitting right beside her as she tries to make sense of things. Lottie was fantastic as well. She's the kind of friend every kid deserves to have, and every scene with her brought a little extra spark to the story. Mattern has a way of tackling tough topics with sensitivity that leaves readers feeling seen, whether or not they've shared Gloria's experiences. Her writing is beautiful and lyrical, yet accessible in a way that never feels out of reach for younger readers. She trusts her audience with complex emotions while still delivering a story filled with hope and heart. This may have been the first book I read by her, but it absolutely won't be my last.

[Tiara Blue]

I feel so privileged to write about this gorgeous story that has at turns captivated and haunted me since my NetGalley read. Jenny Mattern’s voice is lyrical and humorous, and the characters are so charming and human, you wish you knew them in person. I also like that Mattern didn’t shy from a 13-year-old who makes mistakes as she uncovers her origin story. Gloria lies to her parents, even as she adores them, to find out more details about her birth mom. It’s a sweeping story that takes us to Orcas Island. It’s atmospheric, it’s haunting, and the reader feels Gloria’s desperation to learn more about her birth mom’s history. Also, the climax had a twist I never saw coming!!! Jaw literally dropped while I was reading in the middle of a Walmart checkout line. My only critique of this book is that it couldn’t last forever. Read, read this book!! And share it with your favorite young reader/s. I have two adoptive twins (a niece and a nephew) that I know will love this book as I do. ♥️✨

[Rie Neal]

13yo Gloria’s adoption as a baby has always been a source of celebration in her loving family, but that hasn’t ever been the whole story for her. So when Gloria sees a picture of a woman who looks just like her in the obituary section of the newspaper, she’s determined to find out if the woman is her birth mom—even if she has to investigate without her parents’ help. What follows is an astoundingly beautiful story of Gloria finding her birth roots and grappling with the heartbreak of having been given up, but ultimately realizing that family trees can look different and still grow strong.

This book broke my heart into a million tiny pieces and then put it back together again (with veins of pure gold—iykyk). Stunningly beautiful imagery and a gripping, whirlwind adventure kept me up past my bedtime, made me cry (twice!), and left me wondering what Mattern will bring to the world next. SO well done!!!

[Jennifer Kaul]

I really enjoyed this book! It tells the story of a thirteen-year-old girl named Gloria who was adopted into a loving family but still wonders about her birth mom as she takes action to uncover the truth. During her journey, she gets in over her head as she lies as a form of self-preservation and to protect the ones she loves. This story has a ton of wisdom and heart and gives grace to characters trying to do what they feel is best, despite their mistakes. It’s skillfully-written, keeping readers engaged as they follow the twists and turns of Gloria’s discoveries. It would be a great fit for readers who enjoy contemporary, family-based stories and would make a wonderful addition to any middle grade classroom library!

[Laura Stegman]

Where the Light Shines In by Jenny Mattern is a beautifully written tale of adoption, family, and identity. While thirteen-year-old Gloria deeply loves and is loved by her mom and dad, she can't help longing to find her birth parents. After a surprising discovery sends her on a search, she goes to any lengths to connect with a woman she suspects is her birth mother, even it means lying and taking risks. In an example of what I consider excellent parenting, Mom and Dad give Gloria consequences for her mistakes but they do it in an incredibly understanding way. This uplifting, moving middle grade novel is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. I couldn't put it down.

[Nicole M. Hewitt]

A beautifully written story about identity and adoption and the desire to understand our origins. When Gloria sees a face in the newspaper that mirrors her own, she's convinced the woman is her birth mother, and she can't help but find out more. She loves her parents and she's lived a good life, so she doesn't want to hurt them, but the drive to understand her biological ties is too strong for her to ignore. The story is engrossing with a twist kids probably won't see coming (and even if they do, they'll enjoy the journey to the reveal, as I did). And Gloria is flawed in relatable ways. Perfect for middle grade readers who love contemporaries with a lot of heart and a touch of intrigue.

[Cindy]

Such important dialogue in this well written book about a thirteen year old navigating the desire to search for her birth mother but not wanting to hurt her adoptive parents feelings.
Gloria sees a photo in the obituaries that looks a lot like her. She wants to dig further to find out if this woman was her birth mother. She shows her adoptive parents and their reaction is not super helpful. Gloria takes things into her own hands.
As a mom of an adopted child, I felt that this story was authentic. Both heartbreaking and heartwarming! I loved it! This would generate excellent discussions in the classroom!

[G.S. Harrington]

This is a beautiful story of family and identity, following 13-year-old adoptee Gloria as she searches for answers to who she is by learning about the woman who gave her life. Her search feels heartbreakingly futile as her birth mother appears to be recently deceased, yet the reader will root for Gloria to find the inner peace she really needs. Her inner turmoil is well-balanced by supportive adoptive parents, a great best friend, and an atmospheric Pacific Northwest setting. This is a great addition to upper middle grade, for readers age 10-14.

[Catherine Arguelles]

I was transfixed by WHERE THE LIGHT SHINES IN! I found myself delightfully caught up in the mystery of Gloria's birth mother and the lengths Gloria goes to in order to connect to her past. Mattern gives Gloria an authentic 13-year old voice and handles the difficult topic of loss with care and grace. Middle schoolers, adopted or not, will root for Gloria on her journey to the truth while learning about the complicated emotional and logistical nuances of adoption. The tenderness and intrigue of WHERE THE LIGHT SHINES IN makes me excited to read more from Jenny Mattern!

[MD Knabb]

What a wonderful middle grade novel. The vibrant characters feel authentic and relatable to readers. Adult characters have quirks, habits, and choices keep the reader guessing and thinking about how things will turn out at the end. The plot moves forward with the just right momentum and the emotional ups and downs will keep readers turning the pages. The story has strong emotional hooks to the characters and plot. It's a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience from beginning to end. The well crafted details show the author's connection to the characters' experiences.

[Maria M]

A sweet, heartfelt, hopeful book about 13-year-old Gloria, an adopted girl torn between her need to learn about the woman who gave birth to her and the pressure to protect the feelings of the parents who adopted her. Mattern populates her lush, atmospheric setting with characters who are fully fleshed out. She has a gift for sensitively portraying each character’s flaws, misbeliefs, and mistakes while allowing the light of their inherent kindness to shine through. This thought-provoking book will surely spark important conversations about family, honesty, jealousy, privilege, and perspective.

[Carlyn Morenus]

Gloria has always known she was adopted, and she loves her adoptive parents wholeheartedly. But she's been increasingly curious about her birth mom. So when she sees a photo in the newspaper that looks exactly like her, she knows she needs to pursue it. Her parents aren't immediately on board, so things get a bit out of hand before the story resolves. Illuminates some of the questions feelings surrounding being adopted. Ultimately an uplifting story.

[SS]

I am sobbing during my lunch break. I just finished this gorgeous book and am feeling so many emotions. This is a story about family, and how families are more than just genetics, but about experiences and the love that people share for each other. Heartwarming is the best way to describe this, and I am sure that adoptees and foster kids, and kids everywhere, will be able to connect with Gloria and her search to figure out where she came from.

[T.C. Kemper]

What a soulful, heartwarming read from debut author Jenny Mattern! This story follows adoptee Gloria as she navigates a fascinating—and somewhat accidental—development in the search for her birth mother, and between Mattern’s skillful writing, grounded characters, and delicate, masterful delivery on big topics, this book is a triumph in family ties and identity.

[Cynthia Mackey]

Jenny Mattern weaves a tale of mystery and secrets in thirteen year old Gloria's search to learn more about her birth mother. A book you won't want to put down until you find the answers yourself, this will appeal to anyone who has a fondness for the Pacific Northwest. A book filled with love and empathy.

[Jessica Vitalis]

This is a super unique take on an adoptee's search for her birth mother; it kept me on the edge of my seat from the beginning through the end. In addition to the compelling plot, the middle grade voice was spot on and the story was full of heart. I'm already looking forward to whatever this author publishes next.

[Kelly]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a heartwarming adoption story with a twist. Overall, it was well written although a little bit far fetched. I enjoy reading people's stories of adoption and it's nice to read a happy one even though it's fiction.

[Stacie Turner]

I read a very early version of this book (as well as more recent drafts!) and Jenny is a writer of such talent and such heart. She isn't afraid of emotional complexity and knows our deepest hurts can't be fixed with easy platitudes or band-aids but never loses her faith in the human capacity for love. This is a beautiful book.

[Nancy]

This story is everything I love about "quiet" contemporary realistic middle grade. A richly drawn and flawed cast, family ties, ride-or-die friends, and a well detailed setting all make for an immersive experience. The main character will be relatable to so many kids, adopted or not, who just can't help making mistake after mistake as they figure out who they are in this world. I loved it.

[Malia]

I was lucky enough to read an early edition of this story and I have to say the author has such a gift at writing characters that stick with you long after the book is over. Beautifully told.

[Jennifer Guyor Jowett]

This heartfelt and compelling read by debut author Jenny Mattern tells a story with unexpected twists. It is beautifully written and thoughtfully crafted. Middle grade readers will love it!