About This Book
Reach for this book when your child seems to be withdrawing into their own imagination as a way to cope with family stress, financial hardship, or feelings of isolation at school. Fain, the protagonist, creates a world of monsters to navigate the pain of her father's job loss and the crushing sensation of being invisible to her preoccupied parents. The story explores the thin line between healthy creative escapism and the loneliness that comes when we disconnect from the real world. Appropriate for ages 9 to 12, this is a deeply empathetic look at how children process 'adult' problems they cannot control. While the themes of sadness and family tension are prominent, the introduction of a genuine human friend helps Fain find the courage to step back into reality. Parents will find this a valuable tool for opening conversations about family changes and validating the complex emotions children feel when their domestic stability is shaken.
