About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the profound loss of a caregiver or is witnessing a surviving family member struggle with deep depression. It is an ideal choice for preteens who are ready for a sophisticated, lyrical exploration of how we keep living when the person who anchored our world is gone. The story follows twelve year old Summer and her Uncle Ob as they navigate their first months without Aunt May, the woman who rescued Summer from a lonely childhood and gave her a true home in their Appalachian trailer. This Newbery Medal winner is deeply atmospheric and focuses on the resilience of the human spirit. While it deals with heavy themes of grief and the afterlife, it remains a life-affirming testament to the power of unconventional families and the way love endures after death. It is a quiet, poetic read that provides a safe space for families to discuss the messiness of mourning and the hope found in moving forward.
