About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the feeling that they must carry the weight of the world on their own shoulders, or when they are struggling to see how their unique talents fit into a larger community. Set in a fictional city that feels like 19th-century Italy, the story follows three children: a street musician, a clockmaker's apprentice, and a hotel maid: who are each fighting to protect their families from poverty and injustice. As their paths cross, they discover that their individual burdens become lighter through collaboration and friendship. While the setting is historical and includes a touch of steampunk fantasy, the emotional core is deeply grounded in the realities of financial hardship and the resilience required to overcome it. It is a sophisticated read for ages 9 to 12 that validates the anxieties of growing up while offering a hopeful, mechanical metaphor for how people can work together to create something beautiful.
