About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle-schooler is feeling invisible, lonely, or struggling with big changes at home like a parent leaving or a sibling moving away. It is a deeply resonant story for children who feel they have to 'be the adult' while their own support systems are crumbling. The story follows thirteen-year-old Justin as he navigates his father's departure, his brother's military enlistment, and his mother's clinical depression. Through an unexpected friendship and the discovery of a hidden musical talent, Justin learns that he has the internal resources to pull himself out of 'the Big Nothing.' This is a realistic, honest look at adolescent resilience that avoids easy answers in favor of genuine emotional growth. It is highly appropriate for ages 10 to 14, offering a mirror for kids facing financial or emotional hardship and a window of empathy for those who are not.
