About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is processing the death of an elder or shows interest in how different cultures honor those they have lost. Set in a 1940s North Carolina sharecropping community, it provides a tender yet realistic window into the traditions of a 'sittin' up,' a traditional wake where family and neighbors gather to stay with the deceased. Through twelve-year-old Bean's eyes, children see that death is not just a source of sadness, but a catalyst for communal storytelling and deep love. It is an excellent tool for explaining the transition of life through a lens of faith, heritage, and community support. The story is best suited for middle-schoolers who are ready for honest discussions about mortality. It encourages them to view grief as a shared journey rather than a solitary burden, highlighting the beauty in saying goodbye.
