Signal by Cynthia DeFelice

Signal is another Nutmeg nominee. It's a tightly woven story that celebrates friendship and honors how hard it is to be the new kid. Owen moved to the Finger Lakes region of New York. His mother died in a car accident eighteen months ago and his father is a workaholic. It's late June and there's a not a lot of kids around so he spends his time running the trails in the nearby woods. His dog Josie is always by his side. One day Owen and Josie meet Campion - she's hiding in an abandoned house waiting for a full moon so her parents can come and rescue her. In a spaceship. Yes, Campion says she's from another planet and needs Owen's help to signal her parents. Not only that, Campion invites Owen to go Home with her. Is Campion an alien? Are her parents really coming for her? What will Owen decide to do - stay or go? Read Signal to find out.