Under the Banyan Tree by Toni De Palma is a heartfelt young adult novel (often listed with the subtitle or focus on themes of family and belonging) that follows a resilient teenager navigating loss and the search for home.

After her mother abandons the family, fifteen-year-old Irena runs away from her troubled life in a trailer park and hitchhikes to Key West, Florida. There, she discovers the Banyan Tree motel, where the kind elderly owner Carlotta takes her in, offering a chance at stability amid quirky guests, hidden secrets, financial struggles, and the promise of a fresh start—leading to profound discoveries about what truly makes a family.

Toni De Palma's writing style is warm, accessible, and emotionally honest, blending realistic teen struggles with gentle hope and vivid sense-of-place details (especially the sunny, atmospheric Key West setting)—creating an engaging, character-driven story suitable for middle-grade to young adult readers without being overly heavy.

This debut novel was selected as a **Kirkus New Voices Pick** and a **New Voices Pick** by the Association for Children's Booksellers, highlighting its fresh voice and appeal in contemporary YA literature.

This book will especially appeal to teens and older tweens who enjoy coming-of-age stories, runaway or road-trip adventures, themes of found family, resilience, and second chances; readers who like realistic fiction with heart and a touch of Southern/Florida flavor; book clubs exploring family dynamics or teen independence; and anyone seeking an uplifting, quick read about healing and human connection. A touching, character-rich debut that's perfect for fans of authors like Sarah Dessen or Judy Blume—ideal for sparking empathy and reflection.