About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with the surreal, haunting nature of grief and the desperate desire to keep a deceased loved one alive through technology or memory. It is a profound exploration of what it means to truly say goodbye in a world where digital or physical replicas might offer a tempting but hollow comfort. After Rachel's mother dies, her father creates a biological replica called a Reminder, a creature that looks like her mother but lacks her soul. The story delves into the unsettling psychological impact of living with a ghost, touching on themes of identity, the ethics of technology, and the painful necessity of letting go. It is most appropriate for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers who can handle its eerie, speculative tone. Parents might choose it to help a teen process the 'uncanny' feelings of loss and the realization that a person cannot be replaced by their data or their likeness.
