I received an advanced reader's copy of this book about a year ago from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. And I got into a wreck and the pandemic happened.

But I've finally read it and it is FANTASTIC.

I'm impressed by the quality of the writing and of a solid plot that builds off of small objects that Muir carries with her from foster placement to foster placement - placement, never home. All in all, Muir has been in 20 foster placements from birth to 17 years old. Her case worker challenges Muir to stay in one place her entire senior year because "colleges love a solid senior year". Not that Muir will be going to college of course, but she loves her case worker, so she agrees to try.

Pushed out of Seattle by a lack of housing placements for teenagers, Muir is sent to a small island community off the coast of Washington State, to a woman who will retire from fostering after Muir graduates high school. This is Muir's last placement before she ages out of the foster care system, before she is on her own in the wider world of jobs, rent, insurance, and survival - all on her own.

All her life Muir has tried to avoid attachments and pack light so that she can go anytime. She can depend only on herself. But is she kidding herself? Hidden shamefully in her suitcase under her three pairs of shoes and one week's worth of outfits is a pillowcase stuffed with mementos Muir carries with her from each placement.

This is such a heartfelt book and it mixes themes of family with the history of Japanese internment, standing up for friends, and finding just who you are.

I can't recommend it highly enough for anyone interested in contemporary YA or about foster care.