Augusta Scattergood

Augusta Scattergood writes middle-grade historical fiction shaped by Southern communities, family memory, music, and children learning where they belong. Raised in Mississippi and trained as a librarian, she brings archival curiosity and a strong sense of place to stories intended for younger readers. The Way to Stay in Destiny by Augusta Scattergood is a 2015 Scholastic novel set in the small Florida town of Destiny. It follows Theo, a twelve-year-old pianist who is sent to live with his guarded uncle after losing his parents. A friendship with Anabel, shared interest in a possible baseball connection, and the town’s musical life gradually give Theo ways to understand both his family history and his new home. Scattergood keeps the mystery accessible while grounding it in grief, friendship, and the work of building trust. This middle-grade story uses music and baseball as parallel routes into a warm exploration of memory, community, and second chances.