
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the bittersweet transitions of late middle school, especially if they are navigating a first crush or the declining health of a grandparent. It is a vital resource for children processing the realization that growing up often means leaving behind comfortable certainties. Ellie Cowan is an eighth grader who wants to freeze time. Between her changing feelings for her best friend Bert and her grandfather's health crisis, Ellie must learn how to navigate the complex emotions of love and loss. While she moves through the world in a wheelchair, her story focuses on her universal experiences with identity and family. It is a tender, realistic portrayal of a young girl finding her footing when everything feels like it is shifting. This book is a beautiful tool for normalizing the anxiety of big life changes and the grief of saying goodbye.
Navigating a first crush and changing feelings for a best friend.
Themes of grief, letting go, and the fear of the future.
The book deals directly and realistically with the decline and death of a grandparent. The approach to death is secular and honest, focusing on the emotional weight of saying goodbye. The resolution is realistic and hopeful, emphasizing resilience rather than a 'fix' for the grief.
A 10 to 12 year old who feels 'in-between' childhood and the teenage years, or a child who is currently witnessing a grandparent struggle with aging and needs to see their complicated feelings reflected.
Parents should be prepared for scenes involving hospice care and the emotional fallout of a death. The book can be read cold, but it may prompt deep conversations about the end of life. A parent may see their child pulling away from childhood hobbies, expressing anxiety about the future, or asking difficult questions about what happens when someone we love gets very sick.
Younger middle grade readers will focus on the baking, sports, and school social dynamics. Older readers (12+) will resonate more deeply with the romantic tension and the heavy themes of legacy and letting go.
Sumner's novel distinguishes itself by focusing on universal milestones like first love and grief, while Ellie's use of a wheelchair is a natural part of her character and experience. """
Ellie is finishing eighth grade in Oklahoma and feeling the pressure of upcoming high school transitions. While she has gained confidence through baking and sports, her internal world is shaken by two major shifts: her platonic friendship with Bert is turning into a romantic crush, and her beloved grandfather's health is failing. The narrative follows her through the final weeks of the school year as she balances the excitement of first love with the heavy reality of palliative care and eventual loss.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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