About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with a major life transition, like moving to a new home, and seems to have lost their usual spark or enthusiasm. It is a beautifully written bridge between reality and folklore that validates the heavy, confusing feelings of sadness that often accompany change. The story follows Jem, a boy who feels out of place in a new town, and his sister Verity, who believes a mythical creature called a nouka is behind the sudden chaos in their lives. While the book touches on deep themes of isolation and the loss of identity, it remains a gentle and magical chapter book appropriate for children ages 7 to 10. Parents will appreciate how it uses the metaphor of ancient magic to help children navigate the very real process of reclaiming joy and finding a sense of belonging in unfamiliar places.
