About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels like there are unspoken secrets at home or when they are beginning to process the long-term absence of a family member. It is an ideal bridge for a child who is moving beyond simple stories into more nuanced explorations of family history and the complicated ways adults handle grief. The story follows Kate, a young girl who discovers that the father she thought was dead may actually be alive. As she unravels the mystery of her family's past, she navigates the foggy atmosphere of English village life and the heavy weight of secrets kept by her mother and grandmother. This 1980s classic is perfect for ages 9 to 12, offering a thoughtful look at how children can find their own agency and truth when the adults in their lives are silent. It validates the child's intuition that things are not always as they seem while providing a safe, literary space to explore themes of abandonment and reconciliation.
