About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their child is beginning to ask deep questions about an absent parent or when they notice their child is prone to over-identifying with strangers to fill an emotional void. Set in the 1950s, the story follows Madigan, a young girl living with her grandmother, who becomes obsessed with the idea that a handsome new boarder is her long-lost father. It is a cautionary but empathetic look at how loneliness can cloud a child's judgment. While the book begins as a gentle domestic drama, it transitions into a suspenseful mystery that explores the difference between the families we imagine and the ones who actually show up for us. It is best suited for readers aged 9 to 12 who are ready for a story that deals with realistic disappointment and the potential dangers of trusting the wrong people. Parents will appreciate how it validates a child's longing for connection while gently grounding them in reality.
