About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is beginning to navigate complex social dynamics, feeling like an outsider, or needs a safe space to process the concept of sudden loss. It is a masterclass in emotional honesty that helps children understand that deep friendship can change who we are forever, even when that friendship is cut short. This story follows Jess and Leslie, two neighbors who create a secret forest kingdom to escape the pressures of their rural lives and school bullies. While it is famously known for its depiction of grief, the book is equally powerful as a celebration of creativity and the way a true friend can expand your world. It is best suited for children aged 9 to 12 who are ready for a realistic, secular exploration of life's beauty and its occasional unfairness.
