What Happens Next by Claire Swinarski

What Happens Next by Claire Swinarski

In this heartfelt and accessible middle grade novel perfect for fans of The Thing About Jellyfish, a young girl throws herself into solving a local mystery to keep from missing her older sister, who has been sent to an eating disorder treatment facility.

Astronomy-obsessed Abby McCourt should be thrilled about the solar eclipse her small town of Moose Junction is about to witness, but she's not. After her older sister Blair was sent away for an eating disorder, Abby has been in a funk.

Desperate to dull the pain her sister's absence has left, she teams up with a visiting astronomer to help track down his long-lost telescope. Though this is supposed to take Abby's mind off the distance between her and Blair, what she finds may bring her closer to her sister than she ever thought possible.

Can a summer search for a lost telescope solve the distance between two sisters?

• A Story About Sisters: Astronomy-obsessed Abby is struggling with the absence of her older sister, Blair, who was sent away to a treatment facility for an eating disorder.
• A Heartfelt Mystery: When a visiting astronomer asks for help finding his long-lost telescope, Abby jumps at the chance for a distraction--and a connection to the stars she loves.
• Coming of Age: Set against the backdrop of a massive solar eclipse, this is a powerful and honest story about finding your voice, navigating friendship struggles, and dealing with a loved one's mental health.
• Perfect for Young Readers: An emotional and hopeful book that tackles serious topics with sensitivity, perfect for middle schoolers and fans of contemporary realistic fiction.

Claire Swinarski is a writer who founded and hosts The Catholic Feminist podcast. She served as a FOCUS missionary from 2013 to 2015. A 2013 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she has a bachelor's degree in mass communication and political science, with a certificate in criminal justice. She has appeared on numerous podcasts, including The Catholic Hipster, Catching Foxes, Girlfriends, and Jesuitical. Her work has been featured in Radiant magazine, Blessed Is She, and FemCatholic. She has written for publications including the Washington Times, Good Housekeeping, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, Verily, Relevant, and America. Swinarski and her husband, Krzysztof, live with their family in Brookfield, Wisconsin.