The Girl with the Red Jacket is a tender, humorous coming-of-age story set in a small Minnesota town. After her grandmother’s death, fourteen-year-old Lila Harper discovers a vibrant red wool jacket in the attic that once belonged to her fierce, outspoken grandma. Wearing it transforms her from invisible freshman to someone who stands tall—roasting classmates, acing dodgeball, and facing down her family’s impending move to a cramped apartment. Through snowstorms, Halloween bonfires, first crushes, and a brave school assembly reading, the jacket becomes Lila’s borrowed courage, helping her navigate grief, change, and the quiet strength of staying connected to those she loves. Warm, funny, and deeply human
