About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with hidden guilt, the weight of 'what-if' scenarios, or the quiet isolation of feeling overlooked in a busy family. Zinny Taylor is a middle child in a crowded Kentucky household who carries a secret burden: she blames herself for the childhood death of her cousin. When a fresh tragedy strikes, she channeled her grief into the physical labor of clearing an ancient, overgrown trail, discovering that healing is a journey one must sometimes walk alone before they can rejoin the group. This story is a masterclass in realistic emotional processing for the 9 to 14 age range. It explores how children internalize responsibility for events beyond their control and the ways nature can serve as a sanctuary for the restless mind. Parents will appreciate the book's grounded, rural setting and its respectful treatment of a young person's need for autonomy and space to heal. It is a poignant choice for any child experiencing loss or struggling to find their unique voice within a large, loud family.
