The Secrets of Haven Point is a standout middle-grade novel that manages to be both a whimsical fantasy and a grounded look at community. It’s the kind of book that gives kids a window into lives different from their own without ever feeling like a lecture.

By centering a cast of disabled characters in a high-stakes adventure, Lara Williamson sidesteps the usual clichés. It’s a fast-paced, magical, and deeply empathetic read that works just as well as a bedtime read-aloud as it does for a kid reading under the covers with a flashlight.