About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the complexities of a large family or navigating the sudden, heavy reality of grief and loss. Through the eyes of eleven-year-old Cliff, the story captures a year in the life of the boisterous Abernathy family, moving from the chaotic joy of a crowded house to the sharp pain of losing a younger sibling in a tragic accident. It is a masterclass in how families lean on one another during the unthinkable. While the book addresses a sudden death, it balances the sorrow with genuine humor and the everyday friction of sibling life. It is highly appropriate for middle-grade readers who are beginning to understand that life can be both funny and desperately sad at the same time. Parents will appreciate how it validates the messiness of grief without being overly sentimental, ultimately offering a message of resilience and the healing power of shared family history.
