An Evening with Ethan Joella: The Top of the World

“Dirty Dancing meets The Fault in Our Stars in this tender novel about sibling bonds, found family, and the kindness of strangers.”
Event Guidelines
- Each ticket will include either a hardcover copy of The Top of the World or a $10 RBB Gift Card.
- Additional copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event, including additional titles by the author.
- An audience Q&A and signing will follow the talk.
About the Book
June 1975. Maggie Bishop has just graduated high school, the future hers to embrace—but she’s still reeling from the death of her older brother, Chip. A devastating diagnosis the summer before prompted Chip to leave home for a few months, never revealing where he went. Maggie’s search for clues leads her to The Red Maple Inn, a mountaintop resort in the Poconos. At the Red Maple, Maggie is welcomed into a tight-knit community. As she unravels secrets about her brother’s final days, she begins to connect with the people he loved, and whose lives he touched. Through the warmth of strangers, Maggie begins to heal and is able to help others cope with loss. Set in a nostalgic resort town over two transformative summers, this dual-narrative novel explores sibling relationships, coming of age, and the quiet power of human connection. Perfect for fans of emotional storytelling and small-town summer books, The Top of the World is a timeless story about memory, grief, second chances, and hope.
About Ethan Joella
Ethan Joella teaches English and psychology at the University of Delaware. He is the author of A Little Hope , which was a Read with Jenna Bonus Selection; A Quiet Life ; The Same Bright Stars ; and The Top of the World . He lives in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, with his wife and two daughters.
About Jillian Puzzo
Jillian Puzzo is River Bend Bookshop’s general manager. She is founder and facilitator of four local membership based book clubs and a cohost of the online Novel Thoughts Book Club. A 2024 recipient of the James Patterson Indie Bookseller Bonus, Jillian was recognized for her work to promote a love of books and reading in her community.