About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is starting to notice social hierarchies, the unfairness of 'us versus them' mentalities, or when they feel like an outsider in their own community. This graphic novel tells the story of Kaidu, a boy from an occupying army, and Rat, a street-smart girl whose people have seen their city renamed by every new invader. Their unlikely bond challenges the prejudices they were raised with. It is an ideal pick for middle-grade readers who enjoy action and history, offering a sophisticated but accessible look at systemic injustice, the complexity of colonization, and the power of individual empathy. It manages to be both a high-stakes adventure and a quiet meditation on what it means to truly belong to a place.
