Mercy Suarez meets The Thing About Jellyfish in this novel about what happens when "perfect" is out of your control. A classic middle grade story told with honesty, nuance, and depth, in the tradition of Rebecca Stead, Holly Goldberg Sloan, and Jerry Spinelli.
How do you share a parent with a stranger?
Maggie's accustomed to leading her life perfectly according to her own well-designed plans. But when Maggie learns that she has a half-brother her own age who needs a place to stay, any semblance of a plan is shattered. Tony's mom struggles with an addiction to opioids, and now she's called upon Maggie's dad – who's also Tony's dad – to take him in.
As Maggie struggles to reconcile her mom and dad's almost-divorce, accept the Alzheimer's afflicting her grandmother, and understand Tony's own issues – ignorance is no longer an option. While Maggie can strive for – and even succeed in – a perfect design, when it comes to family, nothing is perfect, and tackling its complexities is only possible with an open heart.
Heart-wrenching, authentic, and darkly funny, this is a spectacularly written portrayal of the ways we respond to intense change, and proof that no matter the circumstances, the unexpected things are often the best ones.
About the Author
Marcy Campbell lives in Ohio with her family and menagerie of rescued pets. Her writing for adults has been published widely in journals and magazines, including Salon. She is the author of Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse. This is her first novel.
Industry Reviews
"A tenderly told story about growing up in a family where everything suddenly seems to be changing. With tons of heart, Campbell tackles the tough issues and shows readers a wider view of what love and family really mean." -Shelley Pearsall, author of Things Seen From Above
"Complex and stirring. This heartfelt novel shows us that some rules are meant to be broken, and that families can be rebuilt to make room for the people you love."-Sheela Chari, author of Edgar Award Finalist Vanished
"I loved this book. It's an honest, empathetic, insightful ode to the resilience of family."-Sara Pennypacker, award-winning author of Pax
"Rule of Threes'. . . knockout premise is entirely Campbell's. . . . [M]eticulously crafted. . ."--Shelf Awareness
"Campbell portrays Maggie's complex troubles sympathetically while still pushing back on her insecure insularity through characterization, and gradually, Maggie grows to become more open to change and empathy. Her problems are a lot for a sixth-grader to handle, which makes her personal victory more meaningful."-Booklist
"With layered characters and realistic emotions, this book stands out for its honest portrayal of love's challenging terrain. A deeply satisfying read about renewed friendship and reconfigured family."-Rebecca Balcarcel, author of Pura Belpre Honoree The Other Half of Happy
"Campbell effectively highlights the small details that make the family feel authentic. . . and allows the title rule (which identifies the elements of good design) to shape the story without being an overwhelming metaphor. Issues of drug abuse are handled in an age-appropriate way, and the balance of high- and low-stakes problems in Maggie's world is effective."-The Horn Book Magazine
"Threaded with relevant design precepts, Campbell's engaging tale of redefining family is anchored by occasionally prickly Maggie's voice as she learns to loosen her own rules and find harmony in the imperfect."-Publishers Weekly
