The Golden Hour -- Niki Smith

<b>A <i>Kirkus's</i> Best Middle Grade Books of 2021 Pick</b> <p/><b>From the author of <i>The Deep & Dark Blue</i> comes a tender graphic novel, perfect for our time, that gently explores themes of self-discovery, friendship, healing from tragedy, and hope for a better tomorrow.</b> <p/>Struggling with anxiety after witnessing a harrowing instance of gun violence, Manuel Soto copes through photography, using his cell-phone camera to find anchors that keep him grounded. His days are a lonely, latchkey monotony until he's teamed with his classmates, Sebastian and Caysha, for a group project. <p/>Sebastian lives on a grass-fed cattle farm outside of town, and Manuel finds solace in the open fields and in the antics of the newborn calf Sebastian is hand-raising. As Manuel aides his new friends in their preparations for the local county fair, he learns to open up, confronts his deepest fears, and even finds first love. <p/><b>This title will be simultaneously available in paperback.</b><br><br><b>Author:</b> Niki Smith<br><b>Publisher:</b> Little, Brown Books for Young Readers<br><b>Published:</b> 11/23/2021<br><b>Pages:</b> 256<br><b>Binding Type:</b> Paperback<br><b>Weight:</b> 1.15lbs<br><b>Size:</b> 8.20h x 5.70w x 0.60d<br><b>ISBN:</b> 9780316540339<br><b>Audience:</b> Ages 9-12<br><br><b>Review Citation(s): </b><br><i>Publishers Weekly</i> 08/23/2021<br><i>Kirkus Reviews</i> 09/15/2021<br><i>Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks</i> 11/01/2021<br><i>Horn Book Magazine</i> 11/01/20