About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is facing a major life transition, such as moving away or saying a painful goodbye to a close friend group. This story follows Dawn Schafer as she makes the difficult decision to leave her friends in Connecticut and return to California to live with her father. It captures the bittersweet reality of loving two places at once and the anxiety of being 'left out' once you are gone. Parents will appreciate how it validates the complex grief of a child in a blended or bicoastal family. It is a gentle, realistic exploration of independence and the strength required to change your path while keeping your heart connected to those you leave behind. Best suited for readers aged 8 to 12 who are navigating shifts in their own social or family structures.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with divorce and the reality of split families. The approach is secular and highly realistic. It addresses the 'loyalty bind' children often feel between parents living in different states. The resolution is hopeful but acknowledges that life will be different and difficult for those staying behind.
