As her world faces an apocalyptic flood, a girl begins to question the best way forward in this radiant debut middle grade novel, the first in a duology about courage, friendship, and the fight to keep hope alive—perfect for fans of The City of Ember and Alone.

Twelve-year-old Telly has never known a day without rain. She lives high on Mot’s Mountain, an island owned by a mysterious billionaire she’s never seen. Surrounded by floodwaters that rise higher every day, Telly and her mom grow vegetables and healing herbs while other families tend livestock or practice carpentry. All of them are desperate to win a spot on Mot’s massive boat—their last chance at safety before water swallows the world.

But when the time comes, it’s Telly who earns a place…without her mom. Whisked onto the enormous, creaking boat despite her protests, Telly is met with strange rules, locked doors, and other kids who, like her, have been told they’re humanity’s final hope. Yet the longer she’s aboard, the more Telly senses something is very wrong.

As storms rage and the sea climbs impossibly high, Telly must uncover the ship’s secrets and decide what kind of future is worth fighting for…before it’s too late.