About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is processing a significant loss and feels as though the weight of the past is haunting their present. It is particularly suited for children who struggle with the feeling that their family is keeping secrets or that their grief has no outlet for expression. The story follows a girl who is literally and metaphorically haunted by the presence of a deceased sister she never knew, exploring themes of sibling jealousy, family silence, and the bravery required to confront a painful history. This middle-grade mystery provides a safe space to explore the concept of a 'replacement child' and the pressure of living up to an idealized memory. While it contains spooky, supernatural elements, it is fundamentally a story about healing family bonds and finding one's own identity. It is best for ages 9 to 12, offering a path toward understanding how a family can move from a state of frozen grief toward a more hopeful, honest future.
