About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with a family crisis or a sibling's sudden health change. It offers a sensitive, historically grounded exploration of how one family navigates the life-altering impact of the polio epidemic, specifically focusing on the bond between twelve-year-old Keely and her brother Patrick. The story emphasizes that while we cannot always fix what is broken, our presence and persistence can light the way back to hope. Parents will appreciate the nuanced portrayal of Keely's resilience as she tries to spark her brother's will to live after he is paralyzed. Set in 1946, the book provides a safe distance through historical fiction to explore heavy themes like grief, physical disability, and the loss of childhood innocence. It is best suited for middle schoolers (ages 10 to 14) who are ready for a deep, character-driven narrative about empathy and the enduring strength of the human spirit.
