About This Book
Reach for this book when your daughter feels the sudden, disorienting shift from childhood play to the complicated social hierarchies of high school. It specifically addresses the anxiety of growing apart from old friends while navigating new interests like dating and social status. Set in the post-World War II 1940s, the story follows Kitty as she enters a Catholic girls' high school and realizes that her old best friend might not fit into her new world. It is a gentle, nostalgic exploration of identity and the pressure to conform, perfect for the 10 to 14 age range. Parents will appreciate how it validates the awkwardness of 'firsts' while maintaining a wholesome, reflective tone that encourages girls to stay true to themselves even when social circles shift.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with social exclusion and religious expectations. The approach is realistic and secular in its emotional core, though the setting is deeply Catholic. The resolution is realistic: it doesn't offer a magic fix for the friendship but provides a hopeful path forward for Kitty's self-growth.
