Water Steps
Young Readers

Water Steps

By
A. LaFaye
“Wonderful, in the most literal sense of the word.” —BRUCE COVILLE
Select Format

From A. LaFaye, a heartwarming tale of high adventure, family lore, and learning to conquer fear.

Shape-shifting selkies, baby-stealing fairies, and spitting in water as a test for liars: Kyna’s adoptive parents have an endless stream of stories to keep her amused. But no matter how hard they try, Kyna can’t get over her fear of the water. As a small child, a storm at sea claimed her family, and nearly took her own life. Now even bathwater sets her on edge.

When Kyna’s parents announce that they’ve rented a summer house on “magical” Lake Champlain, Kyna begs to be left home for the summer. No such luck. Once there, she explores the forests and the hillsides and resolves to stay as far from the water as possible. But when a new friend sets out to prove that there are selkies in the lake, Kyna finds herself far too close to the water, and dangerously close to a truth she can’t believe.

ISBN
9781571316868
Publish Date
Pages
208
Dimensions
5.25 × 8 × 0.56 in
Weight
8.1 oz
Cover Art

Praise and Prizes

  • “A. LaFaye’s Water Steps is wonderful, in the most literal sense of the word: which is to say it is a book full of wonder and wonders. It pulses with a love of nature and the natural world, a world too often lost to modern children. Rich with love and loss, longing and renewal, a bit of mystery and a touch of fantasy, it is a joy to read.”

    Bruce Coville
    author of Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher

  • “Relatable and rewarding. Water Steps makes a great read and brought me back to a time when … my imagination was only inhibited by how much time was left before my mom called me to dinner.”

    Alive Magazine

  • “Kyna’s struggles to take ‘water’ (baby) steps and move through her fear will resonate with many kids who are wrestling overwhelming fears of their own… . Kyna’s story is a satisfying journey to hope and understanding.”

    Booklist

  • “The language is almost poetic with its use of sensory detail, alliteration, and precise words choices. A satisfying story of overcoming one’s fears and discovering secrets.”

    School Library Journal

  • “A. LaFaye shapes a wonderful novel that I couldn’t put down. With descriptive language, LaFaye pulled me into the book to the point that Kyna became my newest best friend… . On an inspirational journey, she faces her fears and makes new friends along the way. LaFaye uses her literary genius to bring us, the readers, along for the ride.”

    Teen Voices

    You Might Enjoy

    Based on this book, we recommend you try…
    The Keening
    Young Readers

    The Keening

    A. LaFaye

    Born into an artistic and eccentric family, Lyza laments that her only talent is carving letters into wood. At least, that is, until the devastating loss of her mother during the pandemic of 1918. When her unconventional father begins to prepare for…

    Nissa's Place
    Young Readers

    Nissa’s Place

    A. LaFaye

    Since her father remarried, Nissa feels like a stranger in her own home. Hoping to restore the life she knew, Nissa accepts an invitation from her mother and moves to Chicago—but life in the big city is overwhelming. How can Nissa fit in when people…

    The Year of the Sawdust Man
    Young Readers

    The Year of the Sawdust Man

    A. LaFaye

    Eleven-year-old Nissa’s life has never been perfect. Living with her free-spirited mama in the small town of Harper, Louisiana, has led to lots of gossipy small talk and mean rumors. But now Mama is gone, leaving Nissa with her gentle father, and all…

    The Cat
    Young Readers

    The Cat

    Jutta Richter

    Every day Christine’s walk to school takes her past a talking alley cat. And every day the cat’s insights invariably give her something to ponder. Life is all about being clever, says the cat. And always looking out for yourself, first and foremost…