In this episode 183, we visit with Bess Kercher, author of Now and At the Hour, a compelling middle grade novel which follows 12–year-old Albert Davidson through a challenging year in his life. With faith, compassion, love, adventure, and friendship, Albert tries to accept his mother’s cancer diagnosis, all while learning to let go of the secrets and lies he tells to protect her.

After saving a baby shark from the surf, a video of the event goes viral and Albert uses his newfound popularity to help his mother find a path to healing. A quieter adventure unfolds with the boys and a mysterious stranger, whose unsafe circumstances lead Albert to double down on his secrets and lies.

Kimmery Martin, author of The Queen of Hearts and The Antidote for Everything has this to say about the book “Bess Kercher’s debut novel brilliantly captures the singular world of a middle-school kid. Albert Davidson is an endearing, compelling hero, forced to navigate his mother’s distressing diagnosis and his own newfound celebrity at the most awkward and uncertain of ages. Now and At the Hour is the best kid lit I’ve read in a long, long time.”