IRIS: A Middle-Grade Novel About Finding Hope in the Darkness

“My mom says that a person can walk through the fog, thinking they’re alone in this life, but if they just reach out, they will find that most people will reach back.” — Artie Nine-year-old Iris Sinclair’s world is turned upside down when her father leaves, and she and her mother move in with Grandma Char, who’s battling aggressive cancer. As if that weren’t enough, Iris is shadowed by a mysterious glowing blue mouse, and her mother is followed by a glowing blue turtle. Everything seems to be going wrong, and with depressing news headlines everywhere, it feels like the whole world is falling apart. Things begin to shift when Iris befriends a boy named Artie and starts a newspaper route on her grandparents’ street, Sunrise Drive. As Grandma Char reminisces about the Christmas lights that once brightened the neighborhood, Iris is inspired to bring the light show back for her. But with Grandma Char’s health rapidly declining and a vital piece of the light show mysteriously stolen, Iris faces a race against time. Rallying her friends, family, and neighbors, Iris learns the power of hope, proving that even in the darkest times, she can still let the good shine on. ~~~ While Iris is a middle-grade novel, its themes of resilience, hope, and community resonate with readers of all ages, making it a heartwarming journey for both younger readers and adults alike.