Jim Lynch's The Highest Tide is the story of Miles O'Malley growing up over a summer. An only child, he is fascinated by and spends his time at the beach collecting all sorts of marine creatures. He likes Angie, his cool neighbor who is a couple of years older than he is and used to baby-sit him, but she does not notice him until he makes a life-changing discovery and becomes famous overnight. At a time when he is facing his parents possible divorce and is struggling to fit in with kids his age, he finds a rare squid from the opposite side of the world. His friend, Professor Kramer, who was one of the only supportive people in his life, is astounded. Florence, an elderly neighbor who Miles considers as a grandma, worries Miles as she declines steadily with Parkinson's. The Highest Tide presents the dilemmas of a boy who has to grow up quickly, especially during this summer, with everything he faces, yet manages to survive.