About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is processing a major life transition, such as a family divorce or the loss of a sibling, and needs to see that healing is a journey rather than a destination. This moving story follows twelve year old Dani as she attempts to run away and hike the Appalachian Trail alone to escape the grief of her brother's death and her parents' separation. When her mother catches up to her, the two embark on a transformative trek that forces them to confront their shared pain in the quiet of the wilderness. This is a realistic and hopeful choice for middle grade readers. It validates the anger and confusion kids feel when their family unit changes, while modeling how physical activity and honest conversation can help mend a broken heart. It is a secular, grounded story about resilience, the power of nature, and the messy but beautiful process of reconnecting with a parent.
