Maddie has spent her life in care. Shes always looking for a place to call
home and has made a secret Book of Houses: magazine cut-outs of places she
fantasizes about living in. Then a new girl, Murphy, shows up at Maddies
childrens home, armed with magical tales about exotic travels and loving,
absent parents. Maddie is enchanted and, together with some other children from
the Home, the girls build a secret shelter in the woods. For a time Maddie
feels safe and shows Murphy her Book of Houses, but Murphy betrays her by
showing the book around at school. Maddie finds out her friend is not all she
seems, but perhaps is more human and approachable because of it, and,
eventually, the girls make friends again, realizing that home is more about
love than mere buildings.

About the Author
Frances ORoarke Dowell is the editor of Dream Girl, a critically acclaimed
American arts magazine for girls. She received her MA in Poetry from the
University of Massachusetts, USA, and has published poems in several respected
literary journals. Her other title for Walker, Dovey Coe, was Winner of the
Mystery Writers of Americas Edgar Award. Frances ORoarke Dowell lives in
North Carolina with her husband and son.