About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with the 'long goodbye' of a grandparent's dementia or navigating the complex emotions of a parent returning from incarceration. This deeply moving novel-in-verse follows Danna, who uses family recipes to spark her grandfather's fading memories, and Raul, who uses music to cope with his mother's sudden return to his life. It explores the intersections of food, heritage, and the heavy weight of family secrets with grace and nuance. Because it deals with eating disorders and systemic injustice, it is best suited for mature teens (14+) who are ready to engage with the reality that healing is rarely linear or perfect. Parents will value how the story models healthy vulnerability and the power of creative expression as a tool for emotional processing.
