Publisher Annotation: When Lottie's beloved Aunt Helen dies of cancer, it upends her careful, quiet life. Aunt Helen was the world-famous author of the bestselling Alvin Hatter series. In her will, Aunt Helen leaves Lottie a series of letters--each containing mysterious instructions. As Lottie sets about following them, she realizes they're meant to make her take a risk, and, for once in her life, really live.

"In this follow-up to her award-winning memoir Enchanted Air, Margarita Engle details her teenage years in Los Angeles against the turbulent backdrop of the Vietnam War. In vulnerable verse, she addresses the notions of peace, civil rights, freedom of expression, and environmental protection that are once again under threat. Despite these circumstances, young Margarita was able to find solace and empowerment through her education"--

"A middle-grade biography about literary icon Louisa May Alcott"--