
Reach for this book when your child feels stuck between two worlds following a divorce or when they feel their voice is being drowned out by older siblings and adults. This graphic memoir follows young Tori as she navigates the exhausting cycle of moving between her mom's house and her dad's apartment, dealing with the common frustration of being treated like a 'little kid' despite the complex emotional weight she is carrying. By blending realistic family struggles with a vibrant fantasy world that Tori creates in her head, the book validates how children use imagination as a vital coping mechanism. It is ideal for readers aged 8 to 12 who are experiencing the messiness of blended families or changing school friendships. Parents will appreciate how it models creative expression as a way to process difficult transitions without offering easy, unrealistic resolutions.
Depicts the emotional exhaustion of living in two different homes after divorce.
The book deals with divorce and family restructuring in a very direct, secular, and grounded way. It doesn't shy away from the frustration of living out of a suitcase or the feeling of being a 'guest' in a parent's new space. The resolution is realistic: the divorce doesn't 'fix' itself, but Tori finds agency through her art.
A 10-year-old who feels 'lost in the middle' of a large or fractured family. This reader likely loves drawing or writing and needs to see that their internal world is a valid place to find strength.
Read cold. The graphic novel format makes it very accessible. Parents should be prepared for the depiction of parental bickering, which is handled realistically to validate the child's perspective. A parent might see their child withdrawing into books or drawing during transition days between houses, or hear their child complain that they feel like they have no say in their own schedule.
Younger readers will gravitate toward the fantasy sequences and the relatable 'youngest child' frustrations. Older readers will resonate more with the nuance of shifting friendships and the specific mechanics of navigating two households.
Unlike many divorce books that focus on the immediate split, Just Pretend focuses on the long-term 'new normal.' The integration of Tori's inner fantasy world as a parallel narrative provides a unique look at the psychological power of storytelling.
Tori is a middle grade girl navigating the 'back and forth' life of joint custody. While her parents' divorce isn't new, the emotional fallout is ongoing. She feels invisible at home, squeezed between siblings and parents who don't see her maturing. To cope, she retreats into a vivid fantasy world involving witches and magic. The narrative weaves between her daily life (school friendships, family arguments) and the story she is writing, showing how the two intersect and help her find her voice.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review