A Light in the Dark - by Erin Soderberg Downing (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A young diver braves the "Graveyard of the Great Lakes" to explore a shipwreck that holds the key to unlocking her family's deepest secret. A sweeping multigenerational mystery from bestselling, award-winning author Erin Soderberg Downing!

Three kids across three generations.

The lighthouse that guides them.

The shipwreck that haunts them all.

NOVEMBER 1940: JP is a thirteen-year-old boy with big dreams and bright stage lights ahead of him, working aboard the Willard H. Norman's last ocean-bound journey for the season. But as the ship chugs out of port that day, as the winds whip and the tides rise, JP and the crew have no idea that it will be its last run ever.

OCTOBER 1970: Alice has grown up in the keeper's cottage on the grounds of Beacon Point Lighthouse, surrounded by her ailing father's stories about the treasure that lays buried at the gravesite of the Willard H. Norman. And then one night, Alice finds herself alone in the lighthouse when the power on the island goes out, a lone ship's lights flashing desperately for help.

SEPTEMBER 2025: Greta has always been obsessed with the shipwrecks of the Great Lakes, especially her grandmother's stories about the ship that holds her grandfather's most cherished possession. So much so that she's become a certified scuba diver and sets out alongside a group of divers making their plunge into the deep to find the ship's gravesite. But when her light hits something shiny, she'll risk everything...even what's left in her oxygen tank...to find out if it's what she thinks it is.

In this alternating narrative that spans decades and crosses generations, three kids will each face their own journey for survival while the fate of their family and future hang in the balance.

Review Quotes

Praise for What Happened Then

A USA Today Bestseller!

A 2026 Edgar Award Nominee

* "A virtuoso trio connects then and now with gratifyingly healing results." -- School Library Journal (starred review)

"Get ready for a smart, fun, sharply written, page-turning heart-clencher of a story. I would follow Avery and Jax anywhere. And I will read everything Erin writes." - Natalie Lloyd, bestselling author of Hummingbird and The Witching Wind

"A beautiful story of a fractured family finding its way across generational divides to find connection, understanding, and the magic of togetherness. With a twisting mystery, wonderful characters, and an enticing setting, What Happened Then will captivate readers of all kinds." - Ann Braden, critically-acclaimed author of The Benefits of Being an Octopus

"A gripping mystery with a big, beating heart at its center, What Happened Then is an expertly crafted family drama that readers of all kinds will by turns find relatable and revelatory. This is middle grade fiction at its very best." - Jarrett Lerner, award-winning author of A Work in Progress

Praise for Just Keep Walking

A USA Today Bestseller!

A Midwest Indie Bookseller Bestseller!

Winner of the 2025 Northeastern MN Book Award!

Selected for the Following State Reading Lists: MN Maud Hart Lovelace Award, Iowa Children's Choice Award, Oklahoma Sequoyah Book Award, Michigan MISelf in Books List

"If you like my books, then you'll love this one. It's a story filled with adventure and heart." - Dusti Bowling, author of The Canyon's Edge

"Outdoor adventure, a believable but not excessive amount of family tension, and a determined middle grade protagonist―these add up to an absorbing read with a satisfying conclusion." - Cathy Carr, author of 365 Days to Alaska

"A page-turning adventure story of resilence, forgiveness, and finding one's inner strength." - Elly Swartz, author of Hidden Truths

"A fun, heartfelt tale of adventure, family, and determination that will make you just keep reading." -- Dan Gemeinhart, award-winning author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

Praise for Controlled Burn

A Midwest Indie Bookseller Bestseller!

2024-2025 Nebraska Golden Sower Nominee

2024-2025 South Carolina Book Award Nominee

"Sensitively wrought... Soderburg Downing meaningfully explores the healing power of nature and the beauty of connecting with family in this vibrantly detailed adventure." -- Publisher's Weekly

"A gorgeous, tender, wonderful book. Controlled Burn is a testament to the power and beauty of everyday moments of bravery, compassion, and love." -- Anne Ursu, author of The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy

"A compelling and moving exploration of the bonds of family, overcoming fears, and the power of friendship." -- Hena Khan, award-winning author of Amina's Voice

About the Author

Erin Soderberg Downing has published more than seventy-five highly acclaimed novels for kids, including What Happened Then, Controlled Burn, and Just Keep Walking. She has also written several popular and bestselling series for young readers: The Great Peach Experiment, Puppy Pirates, and Just Like Home. Erin loves reading, swimming, creating pottery, exploring the woods, traveling with her family, and walking around Minneapolis lakes with her mischievous dog, Nutmeg. More info can be found at erinsoderberg.com.