About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels caught between two worlds or is struggling to reconcile their family history with their current identity. This lyrical novel in verse follows a thirteen-year-old girl who fled the war in Kosovo as a toddler. While she feels like a typical American teenager in Maine, her parents remain deeply tied to their homeland and the scars of the past. As news of a local anti-immigrant protest breaks, she is forced to examine what it truly means to belong to a place. It is a slim, accessible volume perfect for middle schoolers that approaches heavy themes of war, displacement, and prejudice with a gentle, hopeful touch. It is an excellent choice for fostering empathy and starting conversations about the modern immigrant experience.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book addresses war-related trauma, burn scars, and xenophobia. The approach is direct but age-appropriate, focusing more on the emotional aftermath than graphic depictions. The resolution is realistic and quietly hopeful, emphasizing community solidarity.
