Under the Mermaid Angel — Martha Moore

Thirteen-year-old Jesse leads a pretty boring  life in just about the most boring place in the  universe -- otherwise known as Ida, Texas. She cannot  forget the death of her baby brother seven years ago,  and how she just couldn't pray for him when he was  sick. She never talks about it though, not even to  her best friend, which is something she doesn't  have, anyway. But all that changes when Roxanne  moves into the trailer next door. Thirty years old,  with her fake fur coat, wild red hair, and romantic  notions, Roxanne is a revelation to Jesse. Why has  she moved to Ida, of all places? Their growing  friendship will change Jesse's life, giving her back  a vision of hope beyond the mundane world around  her.