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Home Away From Home
From Newbery Honor Winner Cynthia Lord, a brilliant story about how to find home when everything around us is changing. Mia and her mom visit Grandma in Maine every summer, but this year Mia is going alone. Her mom will stay behind to get their house ready to sell. It’ll be a new start, she says, after the divorce. Mia doesn’t want a new start. She’d rather everything just stayed the same! At least things will be the same at Grandma’s, though. Mia will walk to town for ice cream, and wait by the water, watching for birds, just like always. Then Mia meets Grandma’s know-it-all new neighbor, who’s just her age. Cayman acts like he belongs at Grandma’s house. He acts like he’s the expert on everything. And when he and Mia spot an unusual white bird of prey, he acts like it’s his job to find out what it is. Unless, that is, Mia finds out first. And, in her effort to prove herself to him, she makes a decision that will change things for the town, for the bird, for Cayman, and even for herself. Can Mia stop what she’s put into motion? Acclaimed author Cynthia Lord, with her trademark sensitivity, weaves her love of nature with a profound reflection on what it means to be at home in a changing world.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published April 18, 2023
35 people are currently reading
2430 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
April 30, 2023
Heartfelt and lovely story that would make a great read aloud.
January 25, 2023
Home Away From Home is a sweet story about some of life's unexpected changes, whether it's moving, making a new friend, or even getting to see a rare bird that is way off course in migration. Mia's summer at her grandma's is one she won't forget, and might inspire some readers into bird-watching!
July 19, 2023
A beautiful story about a young girl visiting her
Grandma.
Grandma.
August 7, 2022
Like so many of Cynthia Lord’s books (Touch Blue, Handful of Stars, Because of the Rabbit), Home Away From Home will leave middle grade readers with a warm heart and a smile of contentment when they turn that last page. 11 year old Mia is spending the summer with her grandmother while her mom and her mom’s boyfriend ready their house for sale and search for a new home for the three of them. Things are different at Grandma’s, though, and Mia must decide if she can not only share her mom with Scott, but her grandmother with Cayman, a new boy in town. Readers will connect with Mia’s mistakes and her successes as she navigates a lot of new territory. Lord includes plenty of information on birds of prey throughout this heart-warming and very realistic book for grades 4-6 and also touches on the battle that some fight against substance abuse. Highly recommended for readers of Joan Bauer, Barbara O’Connor and Lisa Graff.
Thanks for the digital arc, Edelweiss Above the Treeline.
Thanks for the digital arc, Edelweiss Above the Treeline.
July 7, 2023
I wish I would have known about Cynthia Lord when I was teaching in the classroom. I would have done so much with her novels in connection to Maine studies and my students connecting to these stories!
Another great one to enjoy with bird lovers and the message that “change is scary, but can bring new things too”! Looking forward to exploring more of this book with my colleagues!
Another great one to enjoy with bird lovers and the message that “change is scary, but can bring new things too”! Looking forward to exploring more of this book with my colleagues!
January 31, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Mia is worried about her mother buying a new house in order to live with Steve, her boyfriend. In order to sell their house, Mia's room is getting painted gray, and the whole process is rather upsetting, so she goes to Maine to spend time with her grandmother. She's glad that she doesn't have to share her grandmother, in the way she has to share her mother with Steve (who is a nice guy) or her father with his new wife and son. She's ready for all of their regular adventures, like getting ice cream, going on walks, and watching birds. Her grandmother is also feeding a stray cat, Miss Agatha. When Mia finds out that her grandmother has been hanging out a lot with Cayman, a neighbor boy whose mother is often ill, she's angry about having to share her grandmother as well. There is an eagle's nest on Cayman's property, and when the two go to see if they can catch a glimpse of the eaglets, they see another bird. It looks unusual, and they can't quite figure out what it is. Mia takes a picture of it and posts it on a birding web site, where it is identified as a gyrfalcon, which is not native to the area and which might have gotten blown off course. Mia identifies the location of the bird only by the town, Stone Cove, but soon birdwatchers are arriving and asking the way to the nest. This irriates Cayman's mother, who is often resting during the day, especially when one woman who knocks on her door offers to help her get support. Mia feels awful that she posted the picture, mainly to identify the bird before Cayman did, especially when one watcher hits the bird with a rock. She and Cayman call the local library, who alert the wildlife specialists, and the bird is found and treated. Mia and Cayman have a falling out when she tells him she doesn't want to share her grandmother, since Cayman is dealing with more serious issues than Mia realizes. Mia finally talks to her grandmother about her fears about the move back home in Ohio, and the two work together to make sure that Cayman and his mother are okay.
Strengths: Like this author's Because of the Rabbit or Handful of Stars, this was a good mix of details about animal care and realistic tween problems. I liked the fact that Mia didn't really object to Steve's presence in her life, but didn't want to move out of her house if it meant changing schools. Her grandmother was just the right amount of old for the grandmother of a middle school student-- like me, she has some problem on rocky paths, but is generally competent and active. Cayman's problems at home are downplayed, but he does eventually get help.
Weaknesses: The length of this was perfect, but I would have liked to see less about the stray cat, Miss Agatha, and more about Cayman's day to day struggles with his mother. There are very few depictions of parents who struggle with alcohol addiction in middle grade literature.
What I really think: The cover of this is very clever and appealing, and the story and scientific information about birds will please readers of other avian themed books like King's The Drake Equation, Perez' Strange Birds, or Miller's Roll.
Mia is worried about her mother buying a new house in order to live with Steve, her boyfriend. In order to sell their house, Mia's room is getting painted gray, and the whole process is rather upsetting, so she goes to Maine to spend time with her grandmother. She's glad that she doesn't have to share her grandmother, in the way she has to share her mother with Steve (who is a nice guy) or her father with his new wife and son. She's ready for all of their regular adventures, like getting ice cream, going on walks, and watching birds. Her grandmother is also feeding a stray cat, Miss Agatha. When Mia finds out that her grandmother has been hanging out a lot with Cayman, a neighbor boy whose mother is often ill, she's angry about having to share her grandmother as well. There is an eagle's nest on Cayman's property, and when the two go to see if they can catch a glimpse of the eaglets, they see another bird. It looks unusual, and they can't quite figure out what it is. Mia takes a picture of it and posts it on a birding web site, where it is identified as a gyrfalcon, which is not native to the area and which might have gotten blown off course. Mia identifies the location of the bird only by the town, Stone Cove, but soon birdwatchers are arriving and asking the way to the nest. This irriates Cayman's mother, who is often resting during the day, especially when one woman who knocks on her door offers to help her get support. Mia feels awful that she posted the picture, mainly to identify the bird before Cayman did, especially when one watcher hits the bird with a rock. She and Cayman call the local library, who alert the wildlife specialists, and the bird is found and treated. Mia and Cayman have a falling out when she tells him she doesn't want to share her grandmother, since Cayman is dealing with more serious issues than Mia realizes. Mia finally talks to her grandmother about her fears about the move back home in Ohio, and the two work together to make sure that Cayman and his mother are okay.
Strengths: Like this author's Because of the Rabbit or Handful of Stars, this was a good mix of details about animal care and realistic tween problems. I liked the fact that Mia didn't really object to Steve's presence in her life, but didn't want to move out of her house if it meant changing schools. Her grandmother was just the right amount of old for the grandmother of a middle school student-- like me, she has some problem on rocky paths, but is generally competent and active. Cayman's problems at home are downplayed, but he does eventually get help.
Weaknesses: The length of this was perfect, but I would have liked to see less about the stray cat, Miss Agatha, and more about Cayman's day to day struggles with his mother. There are very few depictions of parents who struggle with alcohol addiction in middle grade literature.
What I really think: The cover of this is very clever and appealing, and the story and scientific information about birds will please readers of other avian themed books like King's The Drake Equation, Perez' Strange Birds, or Miller's Roll.
October 19, 2024
2024-2025 Iowa Children’s Choice Award nominee
3.5+
Sweet, easy to read story of discovering the meaning of home. Protagonist Mia feels familiar and is pretty similar to Lord’s other main characters (not necessarily a bad thing).
This is a good ICCA pick for the younger grades or anyone who enjoys shorter novels.
I liked how Mia navigated her friendship with Cayman and the focus on birds and nature (and cats!) was neat.
Very subtle references to a parent’s alcoholism; some kids may be confused by what illness Cayman’s mom is dealing with.
Some things may have felt a little surface-level, but overall this was a satisfying story.
3.5+
Sweet, easy to read story of discovering the meaning of home. Protagonist Mia feels familiar and is pretty similar to Lord’s other main characters (not necessarily a bad thing).
This is a good ICCA pick for the younger grades or anyone who enjoys shorter novels.
I liked how Mia navigated her friendship with Cayman and the focus on birds and nature (and cats!) was neat.
Very subtle references to a parent’s alcoholism; some kids may be confused by what illness Cayman’s mom is dealing with.
Some things may have felt a little surface-level, but overall this was a satisfying story.
May 28, 2023
I like this author’s succinct writing and craft. An 11 year old is dealing with a new family and move. She goes to stay with her grandmother when she meets a boy with his own family issues. They spot a gryfalcon and the protagonist posts it online along with the location that results in unforeseen consequences. She learns to overcome her fears and be honest with herself. A good read aloud for grades 3-5.
June 5, 2024
I would recommend the audio on this one as the bird calls help build the atmosphere for this middle grade novel about change, home, friendship, birding, and the vagaries of using the internet. It is short but it packs a punch.
November 5, 2023
Beautiful description and writing.
March 31, 2024
Cute story! Like all of Lord’s books, there are some great lessons about empathy and reflection. It would be a great read aloud.
November 10, 2025
Loved this story 🥰 bookclub’d with Grace!
January 28, 2023
“Home isn’t just a place, it’s the people you’re with.”
April 28, 2023
The first 100 pages I was not interested. I could not figure out what the point was. Then when the bird was recognized I finally understood. It is a good book about our consequences and actions.
August 12, 2024
Sometimes life is not all about yourself. This is something that Mia learns in this middle school which captured my heart. Mia’s parents have divorced, and Mia is having a hard time finding her place. Her father has remarried, and they have a new baby while her mother and current boyfriend have decided that they’re going to move in together. Mia likes Scott and was okay with them moving in together until she found out that they would be selling her childhood home and they’d all be moving into a new home together. This was too much change for Mia and their yearly mother-daughter visit to grandma’s is now just going to be a month-long visit for Mia. Mom and Scott can deal with the house details while Mia has grandma’s attention all to herself.
Mia has made plans for this visit with grandma, after all she’s been coming here for years. Grandma has a new cat which Mia can handle but there’s another addition that Mia feels is invading her space. This was supposed to be grandma and Mia’s time – a month of exclusive grandma time and now, there’s Cayman. This neighbor boy seems to know too much about Mia’s grandma and her life. Mia is finding him annoying, and I find myself laughing at her as he moseys his way onto the scene. There are these emotions that Mia is having, when Cayman is present and when he is gone. They’re not romantic but Mia is confused about this boy who has popped up in her life. I like Cayman’s attitude and Mia’s confusion causes quite the drama she wasn’t looking for.
It’s a fun and entertaining read. I enjoyed how openly and honestly the emotions were portrayed in the book and I think young readers will be able to relate to the characters. This was an Iowa Children’s Choice Award Book 2024-2025. 4.5 stars.
““That’s all you can say?” Cayman snapped. “I’m telling you that it upset my mom and you want nosy details? Why? So you can blame her, too? You don’t understand anything!” He started running away from me up the path.”
Mia has made plans for this visit with grandma, after all she’s been coming here for years. Grandma has a new cat which Mia can handle but there’s another addition that Mia feels is invading her space. This was supposed to be grandma and Mia’s time – a month of exclusive grandma time and now, there’s Cayman. This neighbor boy seems to know too much about Mia’s grandma and her life. Mia is finding him annoying, and I find myself laughing at her as he moseys his way onto the scene. There are these emotions that Mia is having, when Cayman is present and when he is gone. They’re not romantic but Mia is confused about this boy who has popped up in her life. I like Cayman’s attitude and Mia’s confusion causes quite the drama she wasn’t looking for.
It’s a fun and entertaining read. I enjoyed how openly and honestly the emotions were portrayed in the book and I think young readers will be able to relate to the characters. This was an Iowa Children’s Choice Award Book 2024-2025. 4.5 stars.
““That’s all you can say?” Cayman snapped. “I’m telling you that it upset my mom and you want nosy details? Why? So you can blame her, too? You don’t understand anything!” He started running away from me up the path.”
August 17, 2023
This is such a beautiful book for kids. It contains so much about life, animals, friendship, family, nature and the beauty of the world around. It takes place in Maine, a beautiful state, Stony Point town, very close to the ocean.
Mia is eleven, spending summer with her grandmother, just both of them. Noone else. Grandma is friends with a young boy, Cayman, his mother is sick. Mia wants Grandma all to herself.
Mia's parents are divorced, her father remarried, she has a baby brother, Luke. Her mother has a boyfriend, Scott, they are selling the house Mia grew up in and buying another. She will miss her house, her room she decorated.
There are many animals around. A white cat adopted Grandma, Grandma named her Miss Agatha after the writer Agatha Christie. Mia and Grandma love to read. Cayman and Mia go to see the resident eagles named after important people who love Maine. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Rachel Carson. They have nicknames, HW and Rachel. The two have eaglets they are feeding. Along comes a Gryfalcon who fights with the eagles, a magical looking bird coming from the Artic.
Mia learns much about herself and others. Life is changing, this is right and good, things can't always stay the same.
Mia carries her phone all the time to take pictures. Her mother wants her to stop overusing the phone and watch what is going on around her. There are so many animals around. Mia's favorites are birds. She knows so many bird calls. Birds must be wild. She does get in trouble, many things need to be kept secret. Grandma is positive Mia can handle life.
Mia's nickname is Mouse, Grandma's house is her "Home away from Home."
This is the first I have ever read by Cynthia Lord. She is a wonderful writer for kids.
Mia is eleven, spending summer with her grandmother, just both of them. Noone else. Grandma is friends with a young boy, Cayman, his mother is sick. Mia wants Grandma all to herself.
Mia's parents are divorced, her father remarried, she has a baby brother, Luke. Her mother has a boyfriend, Scott, they are selling the house Mia grew up in and buying another. She will miss her house, her room she decorated.
There are many animals around. A white cat adopted Grandma, Grandma named her Miss Agatha after the writer Agatha Christie. Mia and Grandma love to read. Cayman and Mia go to see the resident eagles named after important people who love Maine. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Rachel Carson. They have nicknames, HW and Rachel. The two have eaglets they are feeding. Along comes a Gryfalcon who fights with the eagles, a magical looking bird coming from the Artic.
Mia learns much about herself and others. Life is changing, this is right and good, things can't always stay the same.
Mia carries her phone all the time to take pictures. Her mother wants her to stop overusing the phone and watch what is going on around her. There are so many animals around. Mia's favorites are birds. She knows so many bird calls. Birds must be wild. She does get in trouble, many things need to be kept secret. Grandma is positive Mia can handle life.
Mia's nickname is Mouse, Grandma's house is her "Home away from Home."
This is the first I have ever read by Cynthia Lord. She is a wonderful writer for kids.
Read
June 8, 2023Mia lives in Ohio, but she's visiting her grandmother in Maine. She feels like she has been sort of shoved out of the way. Her mother and her mother's boyfriend are back in Ohio hunting for a new house. When Mia returns, they will have sold the old house and moved to the new place wherever that ends up being. Right now she is worried about forgetting the memories from the old house and hoping she doesn't have to change schools.
Staying with grandma has some perks though. She can go into town by herself and wander around the woods. Mia loves nature and especially birds. She'll get to keep an eye on the eagles nesting on the point and watch them hunting for food for their new babies. What she didn't expect to see was a large white bird bigger than any she has ever seen.
Mia also didn't expect to meet a new friend, but someone new has moved in near her grandma. She finds out his name is Cayman. He is also interested in the new bird. In Mia's excitement to identify it before Cayman figures it out, she accidentally posts about it on a birding site which unleashes a bunch of birdwatchers. As they start pouring it to view the mystery bird, Mia finds out Cayman has a secret about his mother that might threaten their new friendship.
Cynthia Lord, known for her book RULES, takes readers on an adventure involving rare birds, a stray cat, and the ups and downs of friendship and family life in her latest release HOME AWAY FROM HOME. Perfect for upper elementary and middle grade readers.
Staying with grandma has some perks though. She can go into town by herself and wander around the woods. Mia loves nature and especially birds. She'll get to keep an eye on the eagles nesting on the point and watch them hunting for food for their new babies. What she didn't expect to see was a large white bird bigger than any she has ever seen.
Mia also didn't expect to meet a new friend, but someone new has moved in near her grandma. She finds out his name is Cayman. He is also interested in the new bird. In Mia's excitement to identify it before Cayman figures it out, she accidentally posts about it on a birding site which unleashes a bunch of birdwatchers. As they start pouring it to view the mystery bird, Mia finds out Cayman has a secret about his mother that might threaten their new friendship.
Cynthia Lord, known for her book RULES, takes readers on an adventure involving rare birds, a stray cat, and the ups and downs of friendship and family life in her latest release HOME AWAY FROM HOME. Perfect for upper elementary and middle grade readers.
July 15, 2024
Mia expects her first solo summer visit to her grandmother's house in Maine will be like every other summer visit until she meets grandma's new neighbor. Cayman is Mia's age and just as knowledgeable about birds as she is - is that why grandma likes him so much? While visiting the owl babies on Cayman's family property, the two kids see a large white bird they can't identify. In her rush to beat Cayman at the game of "Name that Bird," Mia posts to an online bird watching forum and inadvertently draws attention to what turns out to be a rare gyrfalcon that is not native to the area. The bird is threatened and so is her friendship with Cayman when Mia finally admits why so many people are knocking on his door and bothering his mom just to get a photo of some white bird. While Mia battles the anxieties of what awaits her at home at the end of the summer, can she fix the damage she has brought to her home away from home?
This book uses the story of the gyrfalcon as a way to help Mia grow and sort through her anxieties about the changes in her life. If the gyrfalcon can survive living in a strange place, so can Mia. Cayman's life is far more complicated than Mia understands and we learn that his mom is an alcoholic who fears she will lose her son if she seeks treatment for her addiction. That minor plot point might be a bit much for younger readers. On a personal note, the cat known as Miss Agatha, does not feature in the story enough to warrant being on the cover (but that's just my opinion).
This book uses the story of the gyrfalcon as a way to help Mia grow and sort through her anxieties about the changes in her life. If the gyrfalcon can survive living in a strange place, so can Mia. Cayman's life is far more complicated than Mia understands and we learn that his mom is an alcoholic who fears she will lose her son if she seeks treatment for her addiction. That minor plot point might be a bit much for younger readers. On a personal note, the cat known as Miss Agatha, does not feature in the story enough to warrant being on the cover (but that's just my opinion).
November 21, 2024
Since we read some of her earlier books for our book club, we decided to add this 2023 book to our reading list this year. The group was not disappointed with the choice! Lord's writing is always well done and has mass middle grade appeal.
The story revolves around the main character Mia as she visits her grandmother in a small Maine town during the summer. Once there she begins to deal with the changes in her life, mainly a big move from the home she has always lived in with first her parents and then her mother to a new house that will include her mother's new partner. Included in these changes is a new young neighbor in Maine that her grandmother has befriended. Mia doesn't know how to feel about this, but they bond when an arctic raptor, a gyrfalcon arrives in the community. Mia's actions unintentionally set off a near disaster for the lost bird.
Main points about the book brought out at the meeting involved the growth in Mia's character, how the title's theme could be applied to so many of the people, animals and plot point, and how the cover could appeal to middle grade readers to pick up for reading. The growth of Mia's character allows her to become more sympathetic to the reader and the gyrfalcon story makes this a four-star read for me.
I would highly recommend this book for middle grade readers, and it would make an excellent class read aloud for 4th-6th grade classes.
The story revolves around the main character Mia as she visits her grandmother in a small Maine town during the summer. Once there she begins to deal with the changes in her life, mainly a big move from the home she has always lived in with first her parents and then her mother to a new house that will include her mother's new partner. Included in these changes is a new young neighbor in Maine that her grandmother has befriended. Mia doesn't know how to feel about this, but they bond when an arctic raptor, a gyrfalcon arrives in the community. Mia's actions unintentionally set off a near disaster for the lost bird.
Main points about the book brought out at the meeting involved the growth in Mia's character, how the title's theme could be applied to so many of the people, animals and plot point, and how the cover could appeal to middle grade readers to pick up for reading. The growth of Mia's character allows her to become more sympathetic to the reader and the gyrfalcon story makes this a four-star read for me.
I would highly recommend this book for middle grade readers, and it would make an excellent class read aloud for 4th-6th grade classes.
June 3, 2023
First sentence: "GPS says the road is coming up," I announced from the back seat of the rental car.
Premise/plot: Mia visits her Grandma most summers. This summer is slightly different, however. Mia will be staying (by herself) for a month. Her mother (and stepfather/mother's boyfriend) are preparing to sell the house. Mia didn't want to be a part of renovating, packing, etc. There have been changes since last summer. Mia meets a new neighbor, a boy around her own age, Cayman. They share an interest in birds--an eagle's nest (with baby eaglets) is on his property. They love to visit the birds. A visiting bird--a rarely sighted bird for the state of Maine--has been spotted by the pair for several days. Mia can't resist posting pictures and descriptions online at a bird-watching hobby site. But will her posts lead to disaster for the bird(s)?
My thoughts: This is a coming of age story. I loved seeing her relationship with her grandmother and with her new friend. It is a LOT about birds, however. So if bird-watching isn't your thing then perhaps parts of this one may seem a little dull. Still, I think even if you aren't a fan of watching birds for fun (or education), the coming of age aspects still offer something to readers.
I do enjoy Cynthia Lord's novels for the most part. I am glad I read this one.
Premise/plot: Mia visits her Grandma most summers. This summer is slightly different, however. Mia will be staying (by herself) for a month. Her mother (and stepfather/mother's boyfriend) are preparing to sell the house. Mia didn't want to be a part of renovating, packing, etc. There have been changes since last summer. Mia meets a new neighbor, a boy around her own age, Cayman. They share an interest in birds--an eagle's nest (with baby eaglets) is on his property. They love to visit the birds. A visiting bird--a rarely sighted bird for the state of Maine--has been spotted by the pair for several days. Mia can't resist posting pictures and descriptions online at a bird-watching hobby site. But will her posts lead to disaster for the bird(s)?
My thoughts: This is a coming of age story. I loved seeing her relationship with her grandmother and with her new friend. It is a LOT about birds, however. So if bird-watching isn't your thing then perhaps parts of this one may seem a little dull. Still, I think even if you aren't a fan of watching birds for fun (or education), the coming of age aspects still offer something to readers.
I do enjoy Cynthia Lord's novels for the most part. I am glad I read this one.
June 17, 2025
This slim novel with animals on the cover *might* attract the right reader for its content...which is intended for kids who are naturally curious and observant of the natural world, and are in the process of becoming aware of themselves and the few people close to them.
The lack of familiarity with the potential repercussions of sharing on social media, coupled with easy technology set the sequence of events in motion that move the character from a lack of consciousness about her own emotional state - to panic - to eventually a growing capacity to attend to the people around her.
It's hard to read about a kid moving from being the center of their universe to realizing other people might need her to be responsible - she sounds like a whiner, takes pride in every small accomplishment of her own, fails to notice or refuses to acknowledge other's strengths while fearing her own weaknesses will be exposed, lets jealousy and lack of information guide her to do the wrong things, and then she's just a little kid and is incapacitated with her fear of a storm.
There are a few pages near the end where the main character gets to open up, explain herself, show her personal growth, and make amends...and then there's the wrap-up where most things turn out great and the remaining unresolved items now seem manageable because of her newfound resilience.
The lack of familiarity with the potential repercussions of sharing on social media, coupled with easy technology set the sequence of events in motion that move the character from a lack of consciousness about her own emotional state - to panic - to eventually a growing capacity to attend to the people around her.
It's hard to read about a kid moving from being the center of their universe to realizing other people might need her to be responsible - she sounds like a whiner, takes pride in every small accomplishment of her own, fails to notice or refuses to acknowledge other's strengths while fearing her own weaknesses will be exposed, lets jealousy and lack of information guide her to do the wrong things, and then she's just a little kid and is incapacitated with her fear of a storm.
There are a few pages near the end where the main character gets to open up, explain herself, show her personal growth, and make amends...and then there's the wrap-up where most things turn out great and the remaining unresolved items now seem manageable because of her newfound resilience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2023
Every summer, Mia has visited her grandmother in Maine with her family. This year is different – her parents have been divorced for a few years, Dad has a new wife and baby and Mom has a new boyfriend, Scott. Normally, Mom would come with Mia to Maine but Mom and Scott have decided to buy a new house which means getting the old house ready to sell. Therefore, Mia will be spending a month with Grandma on her own, which she is very excited about. Upon arriving, Mia learns that Grandma has a new neighbor with a know-it-all boy her age. Mia feels the need to compete with Cayman for her grandmother’s attention. One of Mia’s favorite activities is observing the nesting bale eagles raise their young and the path to the nest is on Cayman’s property. Mia and Cayman go together one day and see a strange white bird of prey around the nest. Mia takes her perceived competition with Cayman a little too far in trying to determine what type of raptor is harassing the eagles and, inadvertently, puts the birds in danger. Can Mia fix things before it’s too late?
This realistic fiction book is perfect for middle grades and is relatively short at just over 200 pages. There is a good deal of information about birds, not just eagles, but not overwhelming. Highly recommend for grades 4 and up.
#HomeAwayFromHome
This realistic fiction book is perfect for middle grades and is relatively short at just over 200 pages. There is a good deal of information about birds, not just eagles, but not overwhelming. Highly recommend for grades 4 and up.
#HomeAwayFromHome
March 8, 2023
Mia is visiting her grandmother while her mom and mom’s boyfriend Scott pack up the old house in a plan to move. Mia is nervous about all the changes but keeps her worried inside. She wants to tell Grandma but there is a new boy who is always stopping by and his presence kind of infringes on her time, or it feels like it to her. But the boy, Cayman, has his own worries. His mom is sick, but he won’t say with what. He misses his dad and feels abandoned. Grandma is one person who needs him. And now when he and Mia see a rare bird out by the water, they begin to bond over this find. But things go downhill when Mia posts online about the bird trying to find out what it is. Other online borders find out and swarm the small town. Her choice to pair online, without permission, actually hurts the bird and ruins her friendship with Cayman. Can Mia make it all right again? Can she and Cayman finally open up to each other? Can they ever speak aloud their deep fears?
November 30, 2025
Mia is spending the summer with her Grandmother on the Maine coast, while her mother and mother’s boyfriend work on selling the only home Mia has known. Something Mia does not want to think about. Instead her focus is on the sighting of a mystery bird and a stray cat which has come to live near, but with her Grandmother.
I found this book for a challenge. I needed to read a book this month that had low checkouts in our collection. I set the parameters at NO checkouts after being on the shelves a year or more. I was grateful that not many books fit that search. I’m happy to have read it. It felt comfortably middle-grade familiar. The character arc was predictable. Mia was not a particularly engaging character and I found her annoying, until she had her ‘Come to Jesus’ moment. I did enjoy the information about the bird I had no idea existed. I think I will be able to find readers for it.
I found this book for a challenge. I needed to read a book this month that had low checkouts in our collection. I set the parameters at NO checkouts after being on the shelves a year or more. I was grateful that not many books fit that search. I’m happy to have read it. It felt comfortably middle-grade familiar. The character arc was predictable. Mia was not a particularly engaging character and I found her annoying, until she had her ‘Come to Jesus’ moment. I did enjoy the information about the bird I had no idea existed. I think I will be able to find readers for it.
March 17, 2023
This had a bit of a slow start, and I kind of rolled my eyes as I thought, "will kids want to read a book about birding?" Rest assured, this is not really a birding book; instead, it's about relationships and the difficulty of facing change. Everything feels overwhelming to Mia until she faces her mistakes and begins to make amends. Only then can she see how capable she is of facing whatever comes next.
There is a great subplot about how quickly things can spread once posted online and the lack of control you have over the content even once you've deleted a post. Usually that type of plot point follows either online bullying or an overshare of information. It keeps from feeling messagey here because the effect is more subtle, but that shift still drastically affects several people, animals, and the environment surrounding them.
There is a great subplot about how quickly things can spread once posted online and the lack of control you have over the content even once you've deleted a post. Usually that type of plot point follows either online bullying or an overshare of information. It keeps from feeling messagey here because the effect is more subtle, but that shift still drastically affects several people, animals, and the environment surrounding them.
June 4, 2023
I enjoy Cynthia Lord's sweet, heartwarming children's books and HOME AWAY FROM HOME, her newest, is no exception. The novel embraces Lord's usual themes of friendship, family, animals, and nature. Her characters—human and otherwise—are sympathetic and likable. All of them are going through changes and challenges. As Mia gets to know not just Cayman but also Miss Agatha and the cyrfalcon, gaining deeper understanding of the various problems they're dealing with, she develops a greater empathy for them. By facing up to her own fears, challenges, and mistakes, Mia also learns to be braver, more responsible, and less judgmental. Lord also throws in a not-as-subtle warning about Internet safety and protecting fragile animals. All of these lessons are folded into a warm, compelling story that nature-loving readers are sure to find appealing. It's a quick, upbeat tale that I quite enjoyed.
June 19, 2023
5 STARS When Mia visits her grandmother in Maine, she's looking forward to having her grandmother all to herself. Since her parents' divorce, Mia has felt that she gets less and less time with them as their lives expand to include new partners and siblings. But when she get's to Stone Harbor, Mia finds her grandmother has a new neighbor, Cayman, a boy near her age. Cayman seems to know where everything is at her grandmother's house and Mia feels jealous. When the spot an unusual bird while checking on the local eagles, Mia feels like its hers and she wants to identify it before Cayman, even if that means breaking her phone rules and posting to an online birder forum. When the bird is identified as rare, and birders start infiltrating Stone Harbor, Mia has to decide what is worth saving; her pride, or her new friendship. Highly recommend.
June 24, 2023
Cynthia Lord is one of my favorite middle grade authors! She perfectly captures "good kids struggling with tough/bad decisions" in a non-judgemental, totally real and relatable way. She always includes diverse characters and elicits empathy from the reader for characters who many would shun or judge in real life. She weaves amazing landscapes and nature into every story and I come away learning something new: ever heard of a gyrfalcon? me either...did you know the number of "dee dee dees" in a chickadee call, "chicka dee dee dee dee dee" indicates its level of alarm? me either! The hero of this story is Mia's Grandma, a tough but tender Maine woman filled with wisdom and empathy. Lord's breezy writing gives me all the feels and I'm so satisfied at the end of the book. Highly recommended for any age 9+, couldn't put it down.
June 13, 2024
Mia is going to visit her grandmother in Maine like she does every summer. But this summer her mother won't be going with her. Mia's parents divorced and now Mom and her new boyfriend are getting Mia's house ready to sell so they can buy a new house together. Mia is nervous about the change. But when she arrives in Maine, she meets a new potential friend next door to her grandmother's house. Cayman shows Mia the new eaglets in the local eagles nest. They also spot a large white bird that is unfamiliar to either one of them. Mia posts a picture on a birding group site and this action causes an avalanche of reactions, none of them good.
Lord is an amazing storyteller and this book is no exception. My only concern is that books aimed at children that focus on self-regulation topics, such as anxiety, are becoming predicable and young readers are shying away.
Lord is an amazing storyteller and this book is no exception. My only concern is that books aimed at children that focus on self-regulation topics, such as anxiety, are becoming predicable and young readers are shying away.
June 4, 2025
Both my daughter (4th grade) and I liked this book that I read aloud to her. It's the best book we've read together so far this year. I like how the author managed to weave in the dangers of cell phone use/Internet in a pretty unique way, where it illustrated the unforeseen (and unwanted) consequences of posting information online, but nothing really scary happened to the characters. Beyond the thoughtful message about internet safety, there was the right amount of description that really helped us imagine we were on the Maine coastline in the summertime. The author built suspense through multiple storylines - the mystery bird, Cayman's mother's troubles, and the stray cat's fate kept us turning the pages. I recommend it for a class read aloud in 4th or 5th grade or for families to read together with kids that age.
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