Now and at the Hour by Bess Kercher
Twelve-year-old Catholic school kid Albert Davidson finds freedom and adventure skateboarding on the hills and in the parks of San Francisco. He otherwise likes to keep things steady and under tight control – even if he has to tell a few lies to do so. This careful approach to life is turned upside down when his mom is diagnosed with cancer.
Even as Albert struggles to keep things normal by hanging out with his two best friends, his life continues to be full of surprises. While hiking one day near Lands End, he jumps into dangerous waters to rescue a dying shark – an act that is recorded by onlookers. Suddenly famous online, Albert’s new popularity launches an unusual quest for healing, fueled by his mom’s intensifying battle and his determination to find a cure. A quieter adventure unfolds with the boys and a mysterious stranger, whose unsafe circumstances lead Albert to double down on his secrets and lies. With problems escalating all around him, will Albert find the remedies he so desperately seeks?