About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their child is struggling to accept a new family structure, particularly if the child is clinging to the hope that their original parents might reunite. This story follows Lulu, a funny and spirited young girl, as she travels to Hawaii to attend her father's second wedding. While the tropical setting provides adventure and humor, the heart of the book explores Lulu's secret plan to sabotage the wedding and bring her parents back together. It is an ideal choice for children ages 8 to 12 who need to see their complex feelings about remarriage and blended families normalized. Parents will appreciate how the book balances lighthearted comedy with the poignant, realistic process of letting go and finding a new sense of belonging in a modern family.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly and realistically with divorce and remarriage. Lulu's grief over her parents' separation is presented as valid and ongoing. The approach is secular and contemporary. The resolution is realistic rather than magical; Lulu must accept that her parents are not getting back together, but the ending remains hopeful as she begins to form a genuine bond with her future stepmother.
