
Reach for this book when your child is curious about family history, grappling with the absence of a loved one, or exploring their own cultural identity. It is a soulful choice for children who feel a missing piece in their family puzzle and need a gentle way to process grief and curiosity through the lens of heritage and storytelling. While Izzy spends the summer with her grandmother in New Mexico, she discovers the truth about her late father through the magic of community and traditional cooking. The story deals with themes of loss and belonging in a way that feels safe and grounded, making it perfect for middle grade readers who are beginning to ask deeper questions about where they come from. It beautifully balances the heavy weight of secrets with the warmth of newfound family connections.
Deals with the loss of a father and the longing for a parent never met.
The book deals directly with the death of a parent and the pain of family secrets. The approach is realistic and secular, though it incorporates cultural mysticism. The resolution is deeply hopeful, providing emotional closure rather than leaving the child in a state of longing.
A 10-year-old who feels a disconnect from their cultural roots or who is being raised by a single parent and has lingering questions about their absent family members.
The book can be read cold, though parents should be ready to discuss why adults sometimes keep secrets to protect children from pain. A parent might notice their child looking at old photos with sadness or asking specific, difficult questions about a relative who passed away before the child could meet them.
Younger readers (ages 8-9) will focus on the magic, the cooking, and the friendship with Diego. Older readers (11-12) will better grasp the nuance of Izzy's mother's grief and the weight of the family legacy.
Unlike many books about grief that focus on the immediate aftermath, this explores the long-term impact of a 'missing' history and uses the sensory experience of cooking as a bridge to the past.
Twelve-year-old Izzy is sent to spend the summer with her grandmother, Nana, in a small New Mexico village while her mother is away for work. Izzy carries a baseball that belonged to her father, who died before she was born, and about whom her mother rarely speaks. Through baking tortillas, meeting a local boy named Diego, and uncovering town secrets, Izzy piecing together her father's story and discovers a touch of magical realism rooted in her heritage.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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