Thanks to Netgalley for an Advance Reader Copy of Where the Light Shines In. I love reading well written Middle Grade about big topics, in this case adoption, that are really getting at the universal question of identity. This is something most, maybe all teenagers struggle with at some point. In Where The Light Shines In, thirteen year old Gloria has an amazing, supportive best friend - think ride or die, will bury the bodies first and ask questions later! and two loving parents who by all accounts are providing the home life most kids only dream of. She and her dad bond over the weekend crossword puzzle and advice column, her parents have a loving relationship, the family has weekly pizza and movie nights. It's a pretty ideal setup by any measure. Gloria is adopted and she and her BFF spend time looking at the faces of random women wondering one if of them might be Gloria's birth mother. They've made it a game. One day, Gloria sees an obituary with a photo of a young woman who looks like her and is 'old enough to be her mother.'
And so we have the wonderful setup for a story to unfold. Author Jenny Mattern has an easy writing style that takes the reader on a believable journey with Gloria as she searches for her birth mother and the emotional stakes of finding information she's wondered about 'her whole life' which leads to hiding things from her parents who she truly loves. Things get complicated, just like life. There's a lot packed into this book and I'm not one to give things away so I'll just say it will make a great book group book for any age (I'm talking about adults, too!) and I think the subject of adoption is handled well throughout the novel. Recommend this book for upper MG and older. Many discussion-worthy elements and there are discussion questions in the back of the book.

What a wonderful middle grade novel. The vibrant characters feel authentic and relatable to readers. Adult characters have quirks, habits, and choices keep the reader guessing and thinking about how things will turn out at the end. The plot moves forward with the just right momentum and the emotional ups and downs will keep readers turning the pages. The story has strong emotional hooks to the characters and plot. It's a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience from beginning to end. The well crafted details show the author's connection to the characters' experiences.