About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is struggling to accept a new reality, particularly one involving a family member who has been changed by illness, injury, or trauma. It is an essential resource for families navigating the complex emotions of a 'new normal' that feels far from the life they once knew. Set in 1970, the story follows Lucy, whose father returns from the Vietnam War with a physical disability and deep emotional scars. As Lucy attempts to 'fix' her family, she learns that love requires adapting to who people are now, rather than clinging to who they used to be. It is a tender, realistic look at resilience and the quiet power of hope within a military family context. Best for ages 8 to 12.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book addresses the impact of physical disability (amputation) and PTSD with a direct, secular, and deeply empathetic approach. The story depicts the challenges Lucy's father faces adjusting to life with a prosthetic limb and managing his trauma. The resolution is realistic rather than miraculous: the father's leg does not grow back and his trauma does not vanish, but the family finds a hopeful path toward healing and connection.
