New York Times bestselling author Janae Marks delivers a stunningly crafted and twisty mystery about the tests of friendships that examines what matters most when everything can change in a split second—perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead and Anne Ursu.

That clock can’t be right. When Elise wakes up the morning after her birthday celebration, she’s surprised to find herself in her bedroom. Last she can remember, she had fallen asleep next to her best friends at her slumber party in her basement, and it was October. But now she’s alone, and her phone says it’s April 8. Elise doesn’t understand. How could she have woken up six months later?

No one else is acting like anything strange has happened, yet Elise can't remember the last half year. To make matters worse, her friends refuse to talk to her and Elise doesn't know why. She also has no idea how she got signed up for photography club or why her former best friend, Cora, is talking to her again. Is it a memory problem? Could it be magic? Every day that passes takes Elise further from the world she knew. Thankfully, Elise has Cora to lean on in this new reality, and the two come together to investigate why Elise woke up in the future—and, more important, how to get her back to her past and away from this nightmare.

BIO

Janae Marks is the author of the critically acclaimed novel From the Desk of Zoe Washington, the New York Times bestselling On Air with Zoe Washington, and A Soft Place to Land. She grew up in the New York City suburbs and now lives in Connecticut with her husband and daughter. She has an MFA in writing for children from the New School. Visit Janae online at janaemarks.com.

REVIEWS

'A beautiful story about being brave and finding your people.' -- Booklist (starred review)

'A nuanced look at middle school friendships...thoughtfully delves into the consequences of the social isolation many young people experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic.' -- Kirkus Reviews

'Janae Marks writes characters you can't help but love and plots you can't help but devour. I couldn't put this book down.' -- Tae Keller, author of Newbery Medalist and New York Times bestselling When You Trap a Tiger

'A smart and sweet magical mystery, bursting with hope and heart.' -- Sarah Mlynowksi, New York Times bestselling author of the Whatever After series

'A fun and twisty story—A Split Second shines with charm and intrigue.' -- Jasmine Warga, Newbery Honor-winning author of Other Words for Home

[H]  Quill Tree Books  /  October 01, 2024

0.9" H x 8.4" L x 5.4" W (0.65 lbs) 256 pages

For ages 8 to 12