"This is a book for those who love adventure, mystery, and journeys to self-realization. At once magical and rooted in reality, an engaging story of life, love, family, and heart." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Written with great immediacy, the scenes involving the lakeside group offer oblique clues to solving the questions that underly Max’s thoughts and motivate his actions: Can anyone protect this apparently magical place? Can he protect his mother? A compelling novel that challenges readers and rewards them as well." — Booklist (starred review)
"Filled with rich details that uphold a dreamy nostalgia, a strong core mystery, and organic growth for Max, Stanley’s latest celebrates bonds past and present among the characters." — Publishers Weekly
"Purchase for collections where realistic fiction with a fantastic twist, such as The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer Holm, is popular." — School Library Journal
"This gentle but uplifting tale is very much an internal journey, with calm and creativity at heart; but enough mystery is sprinkled throughout (who are the lake kids? where is Max and Rosie’s mother?) that the pace never stagnates." — Horn Book Magazine