When his parents send him to summer camp for the first time, Ethan has just three goals. First, to survive. Second, not to be hated. Third, not to be the worst at anything. Instead, Ethan's real challenge comes in the form of a new cabin mate. Zachary arrives at camp late, surrounded by a cloud of rumors. He refuses to be given a nickname, loves the music of an ancient rock 'n' roll singer called Buddy Holly, and doesn't even seem upset when he is forced to miss the Big Swim, the legendary camp event where a select few try to swim across the lake and back. And unlike Ethan, Zach doesn't seem to care what anybody thinks of him, even Amber Levine -- the girl with an easy smile and a freckle on one knee.

CARY FAGAN writes books for children and adults. He has won the Vicky Metcalf Award for Children¿s Literature, the Jewish Book Award, the IODE Jean Throop Book Award and the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, among others. His picture books include A Cage Went in Search of a Bird, illustrated by Banafsheh Erfanian, and Son of Happy, illustrated by Milan Pavlovi¿, which was named one of the Best Canadian Picture Books of 2020 by CBC Books. Cary lives with his family in Toronto.