The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn

Written by Sally J. Pla

A summer with Dad, a secret to reveal. Can Maudie find the courage before it's too late?

4.5 Goodreads · 3,287 ratings

336 pages· 54,346 words· Est. 6 hour read· ~670L

$19.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Maudie cherishes her summers in California with her dad, but this year, a secret about her stepdad's anger looms over her. As a wildfire forces them to a beach town, Maudie faces new challenges and friendships. Watching surfers, she yearns for bravery, both in the water and in her heart. Can she reveal the truth and find a way to stay with her dad before summer ends?

From the publisher

Neurodivergent Maudie is ready to spend an amazing summer with her dad, but will she find the courage to tell him a terrible secret about life with her mom and new stepdad? This contemporary novel is a must-read for fans of Leslie Connor and Ali Standish. A Schneider Family Book Award winner!Maudie always looks forward to the summers she spends in California with her dad. But this year, she must keep a troubling secret about her home life–one that her mom warned her never to tell. Maudie wants to confide in her dad about her stepdad’s anger, but she’s scared.When a wildfire strikes, Maudie and her dad are forced to evacuate to the beach town where he grew up. It’s another turbulent wave of change. But now, every morning, from their camper, Maudie can see surfers bobbing in the water. She desperately wants to learn, but could she ever be brave enough?As Maudie navigates unfamiliar waters, she makes friends–and her autism no longer feels like the big deal her mom makes it out to be. But her secret is still threatening to sink her. Will Maudie find the strength to reveal the awful truth–and maybe even find some way to stay with Dad–before summer is over?