About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their child is struggling to navigate the emotional fallout of a divorce, specifically when that child feels a sense of resentment or a loss of connection with a parent. It is an ideal choice for the preteen who feels they have to prove their worth or independence in the wake of family changes. The story follows twelve-year-old Jo and her mother as they embark on a grueling 100-mile hike along Lake Superior, a trip Jo originally planned with her now-absent father. Through physical challenges and wilderness encounters, Jo moves from anger and self-doubt toward resilience and a deeper bond with her mother. It is a secular, realistic, and deeply hopeful exploration of healing suitable for ages 8 to 12, focusing on the idea that while we cannot control life's changes, we can control how we keep walking forward.
