
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the sudden, confusing weight of grief or the guilt that often follows a loss. It is a vital resource for navigating the transition from shared joy to solitary mourning. The story follows Sussy, a young girl who must learn how to care for Matylda, the pet gecko she shared with her best friend Guy, after Guy is killed in a tragic accident. As Sussy navigates her profound sadness, she begins to act out in ways that reflect her internal turmoil, including stealing from a pet store to try and 'fix' things for her gecko. It is a deeply realistic look at how children process trauma through action and obsession. This chapter book is best suited for middle-grade readers (ages 8 to 12) who are ready for a nuanced, secular, and ultimately hopeful exploration of how we carry the memory of those we love while learning to live again.
The protagonist engages in shoplifting as a coping mechanism for her grief.
Deep exploration of mourning, longing, and the vacuum left by a loved one.
The book deals directly with the death of a child. The approach is secular and grounded in realistic fiction. While the accident is devastating, the resolution is hopeful and focuses on the healing power of honesty and community.
A child aged 9 to 11 who has experienced the loss of a peer or a close friend and feels 'stuck' in their sadness. It is perfect for the child who expresses their emotions through caretaking or who is struggling with the moral complexity of doing the wrong thing for what feels like the right reasons.
Parents should be aware of the scene involving the bike accident and Sussy's subsequent shoplifting. It is helpful to read this alongside the child to discuss why Sussy feels she has to steal to show love. A parent might see their child becoming hyper-fixated on a pet or a hobby following a loss, or perhaps catching their child in a lie or a minor theft that seems out of character.
Younger readers will focus on the bond with the animal and the sadness of the 'lost friend.' Older readers will better grasp the nuance of Sussy's guilt and the metaphorical weight of the gecko's changing skin.
Unlike many books about death that focus on grandparents or pets, this focuses on the specific, sharp loss of a contemporary peer and the complex moral choices a child makes when they feel they have no control over their world.
Sussy and Guy are inseparable best friends who share a deep bond and a pet leopard gecko named Matylda. When Guy dies suddenly in a bike accident, Sussy is left to navigate a world that no longer makes sense. She becomes obsessed with Matylda's well-being, believing that if she can make the gecko's life perfect, she can somehow maintain her connection to Guy. This leads her to make questionable choices, like stealing supplies from a local pet shop, as she struggles with the 'empty chair' in her life.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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