So this was a solid 3 in my book until the last third. The pacing picked up and you got a lot of answers at that point. 

I felt like the lessons were heartwarming and the world building was interesting. 

The girl kinda bothered me until you found out her reasons for being a "loner" over the last year. (Nothing super traumatic, just a case of a kid feeling like something was her fault.) I think that's what bumped it up to a 4.

There were some loose ends, but some of those ends were hinted at. I probably won't read a sequel, but it definitely is set up for one.