About This Book
Reach for this book if your child is struggling with the weight of community expectations, or if your family is navigating the complex reality of a parent living with a mental health condition. Ten-year-old Simeon lives in an Amish community where life is governed by tradition and faith, but his world is upended when he witnesses a series of arson attacks and simultaneously watches his father succumb to a deep, debilitating depression. It is a quiet, thoughtful story that addresses how children process family secrets and the fear that life might never return to normal. While the arson subplot provides a touch of mystery, the heart of the book is Simeon's internal journey as he learns to balance his loyalty to his heritage with the scary reality of his father's illness. This is an ideal choice for middle-grade readers who appreciate realistic fiction and need a mirror for their own feelings of anxiety or confusion regarding a loved one's health. It provides a gentle, hopeful entry point for discussing mental health within a traditional or religious framework.
