{"product_id":"crushed-9780316509176","title":"Crushed","description":"\u003cb\u003eA heartfelt middle grade story about changing friendships, peer pressure, and the courage to speak up when lines are crossed, perfect for fans of \u003ci\u003eStarfish\u003c\/i\u003e and\u003ci\u003e Finally Heard\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Sophie Valentine would rather be at home, doing school virtually. Instead, she's waiting in a crowded middle school building for her best friend, Eve, who's finally back after an extended absence, which only Sophie knows the truth about. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e But when Eve returns, things aren't the same. First, Eve stops walking to school with her in the morning. Then, she's ditching Sophie to hang out with the Crash Crew, a group of popular kids notorious for their social media dares. Eve seems to fit right in, but Sophie is devastated: Did she just lose her best friend? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e When rumors surface that Eve is hiding a painful secret she didn't share with Sophie, Sophie is spurred on an investigation to discover what--or who--caused the incident behind Eve's sudden change...and why all clues lead back to the Crash Crew. Using lessons from her forensics class and the help of a new friend, Sophie will have to uncover the truth before more harm is done.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMelanie Conklin\u003c\/b\u003e grew up in North Carolina and worked as a product designer before she began her writing career. She is the author of middle grade novels \u003ci\u003eCounting Thyme, Every Missing Piece, A Perfect Mistake, Crushed \u003c\/i\u003e(2024), and her debut picture book, \u003ci\u003eWhen You Have to Wait\u003c\/i\u003e. Her books have won awards such as the International Literacy Association Teacher's Choice Award, Bank Street Best Children's Book, and nominations to seven state reading lists. When she's not writing, Melanie spends her time doodling and dreaming up new ways to be creative. She lives in Massachusetts with her family.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Little, Brown Books for Young Readers","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50593226653970,"sku":"9780316509176","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_5024a42d-4628-4dbb-8386-ca860ab576df.jpg?v=1768303829","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/crushed-9780316509176","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}