"Why take chances?" says eleven-year-old Tess Brooks. Especially when it's so easy to let the universe know what you want by touching blue or turning around three times or crossing your fingers.

But Tess is coming to know that it's not always that simple. The state of Maine has a plan to shut down her island's schoolhouse, which would force Tess's family to move to the mainland-and Tess to leave the only home she has ever known. Fortunately the islanders have a plan, too: increase the school numbers by having several families take in foster children. So now Tess and her family are taking a chance on Aaron, a thirteen-year-old trumpet player who has been bounced from home to home, and Tess needs a plan of her own-and all the luck she can muster. Will Tess's wish come true or will her luck run out?

Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord offers a warm, humorous, and thoughtful look at what it means to belong-and how lucky we feel when we do. Touch Blue , sure as certain, will touch your heart.