About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their child is experiencing a friendship 'breakup' or feeling isolated by shifting social dynamics at school. It is particularly resonant for families navigating the messy, confusing middle ground of a parental separation or divorce. The story follows Cora, whose life feels like garbage because her parents are separating and her best friend has ditched her. Through a dual narrative and the discovery of a mysterious old diary, the book explores how relationships change and how to decide which ones are worth saving. It is a gentle, realistic look at fifth-grade social hierarchies and family transitions. Parents will appreciate the way it validates a child's sense of being 'thrown away' while offering a path toward self-reliance and new, healthier connections. It is highly appropriate for ages 8 to 12.
