About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is navigating the complex shift from being a 'shadow' to finding their own identity, especially within a sibling relationship. It is a powerful tool for middle-grade readers who feel the pressure of keeping up with a more dominant sibling or who are struggling with the guilt of outgrowing someone they love. The story follows Pearl, a quiet girl who has always lived in the orbit of her bold, rebellious older sister, Jodie. As their family moves to a fusty boarding school for their parents' work, the power balance shifts: Pearl begins to thrive while Jodie spirals into isolation and risky behavior. While the book captures the humor and atmosphere of school life, it ultimately addresses heavy themes of grief and sudden loss. It is a deeply realistic, secular look at how family bonds are tested by change and the tragic reality that we cannot always save the people we love.
