About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels like an outsider or is struggling to find common ground with peers who seem different from them. It is an ideal choice for middle grade readers navigating the complexities of identity, social justice, or the feeling of being caught between two worlds. The story follows Meena, an Indian immigrant in New York City, and River, a boy in rural Kentucky, as they exchange letters that bridge the gap between their very different lives. Through their correspondence, the two twelve-year-olds navigate family financial struggles, environmental activism, and the sting of prejudice. Parents will appreciate how the book models deep listening and radical empathy, showing that friendship can flourish across geographical and cultural divides. It is a realistic, hopeful exploration of how sharing our stories can make us feel less alone in a big, often confusing world.
