Reviewed by: The Einsteins of Vista Point by Ben Guterson April Spisak Guterson, Ben The Einsteins of Vista Point; illus. by Petur Antonsson. Ottaviano/Little, 2022 [272p] Trade ed. ISBN 9780316317436 $16.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9780316317634 $9.99 Reviewed from digital galleys Gr. 4-6 Eleven-year-old Zack Einstein is trying to figure out how to mourn his sister, who died almost a year ago, without staying stuck completely in a holding pattern of grief and guilt (despite being told otherwise, he still holds himself responsible for the accident). His parents hope that a move and a project to renovate an old house will help them all find the fresh start they need, and Zack does find a distraction in a new friend. It's not entirely clear if his friend is real, a symbol of the sister he still misses, or something else altogether, but Zack is nonetheless able to connect with her, and through that, find his way back to his siblings and family. Guterson treads carefully, demonstrating how grief can be maneuvered but not entirely left behind—this is a bruised family, even as they heal through shared experiences, conversations, and renewed trust that their loved ones will support their unique ways of mourning. The mystery of a tower, secret messages, ghostly communications, and a cranky old man are all appealing elements that move the story forward. The book is most successful, however, when it centers on loss and how much effort it takes to get from a drowning depth of grief to a place where you can put your feet down in the pool sometimes, and, if you're lucky, even walk towards the shallow end. Spot illustrations mirror the text, often appearing at key moments that will deepen understanding with a bit of extra reflection. The sentimentality and sweetness hover at the edge of twee, but readers will be glad to see the Einsteins get some closure, joy, and good karma. Copyright © 2022 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois