About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the quiet, lingering weight of grief or the anxiety of family financial strain. While many stories focus on the immediate aftermath of a loss, this novel explores the 'aftershining' period: when the world expects you to move on, but your heart and your budget are still hurting. Twelve-year-old Jan is struggling with her father's death and her mother's resulting financial stress, a situation made critical when her beloved horse, Dove, needs an expensive operation. This is a deeply empathetic choice for middle-grade readers (ages 9 to 12) who are ready for a realistic look at how we balance our responsibilities to those we love with the harsh realities of what we can afford. It beautifully portrays an intergenerational friendship that provides both emotional support and a solution to Jan's problems. Parents will appreciate the book's honesty regarding money and its gentle lesson on the humility required to accept help from others.
