The Ethan I Was Before — Ali Standish

Life can be transformed in one moment, but does that one moment define you for life?

"Lost in the Sun" meets "The Thing About Jellyfish" in Ali Standish's breathtaking debut. A poignant middle grade novel of friendship and forgiveness, "The Ethan I Was Before" is a classic in the making.

Ethan had been many things. He was always ready for adventure and always willing to accept a dare, especially from his best friend, Kacey. But that was before. Before the accident that took Kacey from him. Before his family moved from Boston to the small town of Palm Knot, Georgia.

Palm Knot may be tiny, but it's the home of possibility and second chances. It's also home to Coralee, a girl with a big personality and even bigger stories. Coralee may be just the friend Ethan needs, except Ethan isn't the only one with secrets. Coralee's are catching up with her, and what she's hiding might be putting both their lives at risk. "The Ethan I Was Before" is a story of love and loss, wonder and adventure, and ultimately of hope.