About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is beginning to notice the flaws in the adults they love, particularly a parent struggling with physical limitations or emotional distance. This quiet, lyrical story follows eleven-year-old Ellie through a year of life in a West Virginia coal-mining town. It beautifully captures the complexity of loving a father who is kind but broken by a workplace injury and a drinking habit. While the setting is historical, the emotional core is timeless: navigating the transition from childhood innocence to a more nuanced, empathetic understanding of family. It is a gentle, comforting read for children aged 9 to 12 who appreciate character-driven stories about resilience, the beauty of nature, and the quiet moments that define a year of growing up.
