The Castoffs

Thirteen-year-old Grace Cruz's life is changing. Or, at least, her friends are. She used to be so close to her friends, but ever since the summer before middle school started, they started forming their own little groups and leaving her out of their lives. What will this mean for Grace when middle school actually started? Would she be alone in school the whole year?

For eighteen-year-old Sam White, life couldn't be any more uncertain. Having recently graduated high school, she has no idea what she wants to do with her life. Her friends seem to have their lives all planned out—starting college or jobs. But what is Sam's next step in life?

When a storm strands both girls on a raft in the middle of the ocean, they must not only figure out how to survive together but also help each other find their way forward in their own lives.

©2025 Gina LoPresto (P)2026 Gina LoPresto

A wholesome and grounded coming-of-age story

An engaging YA adventure in the vein of Gary Paulsen's "Hatchet" that knows where it is going and neither rushes nor wastes time to get there - only as long as it needs to be, but still leaves the reader/listener wanting more. Characters are relatable and believable, each given a distinctive voice skillfully by both the author and the narrator. Don't sleep on this one!