YA - Possibly has Creek in the Title

[N Marie]

The book is about a girl in middle school (6th grade or so). She lives near a body of water (possibly a creek). Her mom is maybe an alcoholic definitely neglectful/abusive. She has a crush on the neighbor boy and he reciprocates they either go to a dance together or plan to and mom messes it up. Mom disappears and she and her little sister go to grandma or aunt.... I read it in the early aughts and it was a fairly new publication.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Would you call this a family angst type of genre? Coming of age? Something else? Is it definitely YA or could it be Middle Grade (I think of 6th grade as more middle grade).

[Kris]

Nicole, what's the genre - romance, coming-of-age, realistic fiction, etc.?

Can you tell us more about the main characters - who and where is her father, parents' jobs, rich/poor, the girl's interests/hobbies, etc.? Why and how does her mother mess up their dance plans?

What is the story's time period and location - country, region, big city/small town.

[Nfeldbaum]

Is it possible that this is Don’t Hurt Laurie? I read it so long ago that I barely remember the details, but she lives by a creek, is abused by her mother, is definitely friends with the neighbor who is a boy (not sure if it was a crush). Don't remember anything about a dance, but she runs away to her step-grandmother's house

[Rainbowheart]

Comfort Creek?

Sweet Creek Holler?

Willow Creek Summer?

[Rainbowheart]

Maybe something on this list?

Kids Overcoming Abusive Situations

[Rainbowheart]

A Summer for Always?

[Kris]

N Marie, are you still looking for this book - or did you find it?