Amber Luna My Bright Light, Paperback, Signed

Signed paperback and free gift with purchase: custom-designed fridge magnet-- KEEP SHINING YOUR LIGHT MATTERS

Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize Critic Report for Amber Luna My Bright Light:

"Marquart offers a pitch-perfect narrative of self-discovery, friendship, and belonging in this tale of two adolescent girls who become fast friends during summer camp. First, there's Amber—a middle schooler struggling with a petty, mean ex-best friend and social embarrassment at school—followed by Mari, who is exploring the boundaries of her religion and coping with childhood trauma. As the two test out friendship, they learn the value of compassion, honesty, and trust.

Alternating first-person perspectives give readers an intimate glimpse into the thoughts and emotions of both girls, and Marquart utilizes speech patterns and cadence that feel authentic for 13-year-old girls.

This is a story of the secret hurts and traumas that shape identity—and how those can, over time, seep into our relationships with others. Amber and Mari remind readers of the power kindness, empathy, and friendship have to incite healing.

The characters grow and change throughout the narrative, and the troubles they're each experiencing feel relatable and grounded in reality. Amber's awareness that what Mari may need most is someone to sit with her in her pain, without judging, opens the door for the two to process Mari's self-harming, just as that connection paves the way for both girls to admit that they can't face every problem alone. Crucial lessons like that are prolific in this heartfelt, touching story."

Synopsis:

Amber Luna My Bright Light is a heartfelt and magical coming-of-age story about identity, friendship, and the quiet courage it takes to be yourself. It was awarded the 2025 Moonbeam Children's Book Award Bronze Medal in the Pre-Teen Mature Issues category and Literary Titan's Gold Book Award.

Amber’s bold, colorful style and quick wit make her stand out—but underneath, she’s a whirlwind of doubts, hiding a secret talent she’s too afraid to share. Mari, quiet and cautious, is carrying far more than just her bags. She’s struggling under the weight of guilt, expectations, and trauma she hasn’t been strong enough to face—yet.

When they meet at summer camp, Amber comes to understand the impact she has simply by being herself, while Mari slowly lets her guard down. Together, they learn that sometimes the smallest acts of kindness can change the course of a life in ways you may never fully understand.

Told from two perspectives, Amber Luna My Bright Light is a tender and empowering story that reminds us-finding yourself isn't about changing or conforming but remembering who you've always been. Sometimes, it takes borrowing someone else's light to see your own. And the bravest thing you can do is let it shine.

Literary Titan gives Amber Luna My Bright Light five stars:

"I found the writing genuine. Marquart nails the rhythms of teenage thought. How one minute you’re making sarcastic jokes about socks, and the next you’re falling into an emotional sinkhole you can’t climb out of.

"By the time I reached the last page, I didn’t feel like I’d read a coming-of-age story so much as lived alongside two girls during the hardest stretch of their young lives.  

"I’d recommend it for anyone who remembers what it felt like to be thirteen and unsure, for teens who feel unseen, and for adults who’ve forgotten how much the small things mattered back then."

Literary Titan is "an organization of professional editors, writers, and professors that have a passion for the written word... recognizing talented authors with our Literary Book Award."