Drop Shadow

The In-Between

By Rebecca K.S. Ansari

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Cooper is lost. Ever since his father left their family three years ago, he has become distant from his friends, constantly annoyed by his little sister, Jess, and completely fed up with the pale, creepy rich girl who moved in next door and won’t stop staring at him. So when Cooper learns of an unsolved mystery his sister has discovered online, he welcomes the distraction.

It’s the tale of a deadly train crash that occurred a hundred years ago, in which one young boy among the dead was never identified. The only distinguishing mark on him was a strange insignia on his suit coat, a symbol no one had seen before or since. Jess is fascinated by the mystery of the unknown child— because she’s seen the insignia. It’s the symbol of the jacket of the girl next door.

As they uncover more information— and mounting evidence of the girl’s seemingly impossible connection to the tragedy—Cooper and Jess begin to wonder if a similar disaster could be heading to their hometown.

Rebecca K.S. Ansari

Rebecca K. S. Ansari is a former ER doctor. The Missing Piece of Charlie O’Reilly is her first book. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, four sons, and some seriously massive pets. You can visit her online at www.rebeccaansari.com.

"An intriguing mystery and a heartwarming tale of friendship wrapped inside a ghost story, this is a sure hit. With a memorable twist, this title is too good to be missed. Perfect for fans of Mary Downing Hahn and “Goosebumps” grads looking for something a little spookier."

- School Library Journal

"With this eerie, expertly crafted tale, Ansari explores grief, loss, and trauma—both personal and familial. Heartfelt and genuine, this one will speak to readers who feel invisible or overlooked."

- Publishers Weekly

"Haunting, engrossing, and thoughtful."

- Kirkus Reviews

"Though Ansari’s latest begins as a spooky ghost-next-door story, it quickly develops into a mystery involving an intricate web of historical events, a separate dimension that exists 'in between,' and characters struggling with major life changes, such as divorce and illness. And readers won’t see the final twist coming."

- Booklist

"Cooper and Jess discover a world between life and death...on a quest that remains a mystery until the very end of the novel."

- The Horn Book

"The pace is carefully measured, and there’s plenty of time for readers to sort out the clues and solve elements of the mystery themselves before all is revealed. Ansari never undercuts Cooper and Jess’ loss, either, instead offering an understanding that grief is not a limited resource."

- Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

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Published by Walden Pond Press an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

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