A Rambler Steals Home

Garland, Derby, and Triple Clark spend each season traveling highways and byways in their Rambler—until summer, when small-town Ridge Creek, Virginia, calls them back. There they settle in, selling burgers and fries out of Garland’s Grill after each game the Rockskippers play in their battered minor-league baseball stadium. Derby’s summer traditions bring her closer than she’s ever been to a real home that isn’t on wheels, but this time, her return to Ridge Creek reveals unwelcome news. Now the person Derby loves most in town needs her help—and yet finding a way to do so may uncover deeply held stories and secrets.

Told in Derby’s unforgettable voice, this warm-hearted debut novel is about taking risks, planting roots, and discovering the true definition of home.

What happens when a girl who’s never had roots decides to plant them for someone else?

• A Heartfelt Coming of Age Story: Twelve-year-old Derby Clark has spent her life on the road. But when a town tragedy strikes, she discovers that home is something you build, not just a place you park.
• Minor League Baseball: From the sun-baked bleachers of the James Edward Allen Gibbs Stadium to the sizzle of post-game burgers at Garland’s Grill, summer in Ridge Creek revolves around the beloved Rockskippers.
• Community and Connection: To help her friend, Derby must rally a surprising team of her own—including the town rival she never thought she’d trust.
• Dealing with Grief: A gentle and touching look at how a town supports a friend through loss, proving that traditions and shared stories can be a powerful way to heal.