About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is facing a significant life transition, such as a family move or the declining health of a grandparent, and needs a gentle way to process the concept of letting go. Set in the 1960s South, the story follows Alice, a young girl struggling with her father's absence and her family's relocation to a new town. Through her developing friendship with an elderly neighbor named Doc, she learns to find stability in the natural world and the rhythms of bird migration. This historical chapter book offers a nuanced exploration of empathy and the bittersweet nature of growing up. While it touches on the complexities of the era, the primary focus remains on Alice's internal emotional journey and her discovery of wonder in the garden. It is an excellent choice for parents looking to normalize feelings of displacement and sadness while highlighting the restorative power of intergenerational friendship.
