Forever, or a Long, Long Time

3 starred reviews • A Kirkus Best Book of 2017 • A New York Public Library Top Ten Books for Kids pick • An ALA Notable Book • 2018 NCTE Charlotte Huck Honor Book

From rising star Caela Carter, author of My Life with the Liars and How to Be a Girl in the World, comes a captivating and heartfelt story about siblings who learn that love can never be divided, only multiplied. 

Flora and her brother, Julian, don’t believe they were born. They’ve lived in so many foster homes, they can’t remember where they came from. And even now that they’ve been adopted, Flora still struggles to believe that they’ve found their forever home. Though Flora is trying her best to trust two new people, when she finds out that there will be a new baby, she’s worried that there won’t be enough love for everyone.

So along with their new mother, Flora and Julian begin a journey to go back and discover their past—for only then can they really begin to build their future.

Perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead’s When You Reach Me, Kathryn Erskine’s Mockingbird, and Ali Benjamin’s The Thing About Jellyfish, this powerful novel about love and family will inspire and delight readers of all ages.

What happens when discovering where you came from is the only way to build a future?

An Unbreakable Sibling Bond: Flora and her younger brother Julian are “Onlys.” They’ve always had each other, but will their powerful connection be enough to navigate a new family? An Honest Look at Foster Care: A heartfelt and sensitive portrayal of the foster system from a child’s perspective, exploring the deep-seated fears and profound hopes of children searching for stability. The Search for a Forever Home: Even after being adopted, Flora struggles to believe it’s real. When news of a new baby arrives, her quest for belonging sends her on a journey into a past she can’t remember. A Heartfelt, Emotional Story: Perfect for readers who love character-driven novels that tackle big questions about identity, trauma, and what it truly means to be a family.