August or Forever


 
 
 
 Contents
 Praise for August or Forever
 August Or Forever
 Copyright © 2023 Ona Gritz. All rights reserved.
 Dedication 
 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
 10
 11
 12
 13
 14
 15
 16
 17
 18
 19
 20
 21
 22
 23
 24
 25
 26
 27
 28
 29
 30
 31
 Acknowledgments
 Book Club Questions
 
 
 Praise for August or Forever
 “What a beautiful novel about sisterhood, about art, about hearts broken and hearts mended. August or Forever will forever chime inside my own heart.”
 —Gayle Brandeis, author of My Life with the Lincolns
 “In August or Forever, Ona Gritz has penned a beautiful novel about sisters. This spare, elegant story will resonate deeply with middle grade readers in its excavation of Molly’s hopes, disappointments, and inevitable growth as she reimagines her relationships in new ways. Exploring themes of friendship, family, and art, Gritz deftly captures the voice of her protagonist as this tender story unfolds, defying our notions about what it means to be a family.”
 —Carol Dines, author of This Distance We Call Love and The Queen’s Soprano
 “August or Forever tenderly conveys the dynamics of a “different” kind of sibling relationship, one between half siblings raised thousands of miles apart. We cheer for its endearing ten-year-old protagonist, Molly, as she navigates through uncertainties and misunderstandings to discover that family love has a patient, enduring force.”
 —Pamela Erens, author of Matasha
 “Author Ona Gritz writes evocatively about sisters, families, belonging and loss in this touching middle-grade novel. Readers will enjoy following ten-year-old Molly as she witnesses the power of art and navigates the challenges of shifting families and friendships during an August she’ll remember forever. A story that begs to be discussed and celebrated.”
 —Kimberly Kenna, author of Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade
 “August or Forever is a tender, graceful novel about sisterhood, friendship, and love. Ten-year-old Molly is a narrator in whom young readers will surely see themselves, with her longings, foibles, and authentic voice. Sweet rather than sentimental, spare but fully drawn, this book is sure to be treasured and read again.” 
 —Caren Lissner, author of Carrie Pilby
 “August or Forever explores the complexity of sibling relationships. Ten-year-old Molly is a believable narrator whose longing to be closer to her older half-sister, Alison, rings true. As she learns to share her parents—and her bedroom—during an extended summer visit with Alison, Molly’s voice remains charming despite her flaws. Filled with a cast of well-drawn characters and settings, Gritz’s novel is an insightful read.”
 —Laura Shovan, author of Takedown and, with Saadia Faruqi, A Place at the Table
 “In August or Forever, Ona Gritz introduces the relatable and artistic Molly, an “almost only lonely,” who has long idolized her older half-sister Alison from afar. She is thrilled to learn that they will get to spend an entire month together when Alison flies over from England, and has the perfect plan to get her to stay forever, but reality can hardly 
 August Or Forever
 
 Ona Gritz
 
 Fitzroy Books
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Copyright © 2023 Ona Gritz. All rights reserved.
 Published by Fitzroy Books
 An imprint of
 
 
 
 
 
 Regal House Publishing, LLC
 Raleigh, NC 27605
 All rights reserved
 https://fitzroybooks.com
 Printed in the United States of America
 ISBN -13 (paperback): 9781646033072
 ISBN -13 (epub): 9781646033089
 Library of Congress Control Number: 2022935690
 All efforts were made to determine the copyright holders and obtain their permissions in any circumstance where copyrighted material was used. The publisher apologizes if any errors were made during this process, or if any omissions occurred. If noted, please contact the publisher and all efforts will be made to incorporate permissions in future editions.
 Interior by Lafayette & Greene
 Cover images and design © by C. B. Royal
 Regal House Publishing, LLC
 
 
 
 
 
 https://regalhousepublishing.com
 The following is a work of fiction created by the author. All names, individuals, characters, places, items, brands, events, etc. were either the product of the author or were used fictitiously. Any name, place, event, person, brand, or item, current or past, is entirely coincidental.
 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by 
 Dedication 
 To every sister who is missing a sister.
 
 
 1
 Some people think that if you live in a small town like mine in Upstate New York, everyone around knows everything there is to know about you.
 I’m a good example that this isn’t actually true.
 A lot of my neighbors, and even some of my classmates, assume I’m an only child. But I have a sister, Alison. Unfortunately, she lives really far away. Across the pond, she’d say. 
 Alison is my dad’s daughter from a long time ago, when he was married to a woman named Patricia. My parents and I stay in touch with Alison through video chats, emails, and letters. Of course the video chats are the closest thing to being together. I get to see Alison up close, hear her voice, and steal little peeks at the rooms in her house. But, since there’s a five-hour time difference, and Alison’s been busy at university, we don’t get to do this as often as I’d like. The next best is writing—snail mail style—notes and cards that arrive at our doors like surprise gifts. 
 We like to see each other’s handwriting, and