About This Book
Reach for this book when you notice your preteen pulling away from mainstream social circles or expressing a desire for more solitude and independence. It is an ideal choice for the child who feels like an outsider and needs to see that being 'strange' is a source of strength rather than a deficit. The book introduces Emily, a fiercely autonomous thirteen-year-old who prefers the company of her four black cats to the pressure of fitting in. Through sharp wit and a striking gothic aesthetic, the narrative explores themes of self-reliance and creative isolation. Parents will appreciate how it validates the introverted or non-conformist experience, though it maintains a subversive, slightly dark tone that appeals to the rebellious spirit of middle schoolers. It turns the idea of being 'lost' or 'alone' into an empowering choice of finding oneself.
