About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with a profound sense of isolation or is struggling to process the death of a parent. It is particularly resonant for children who feel they have to 'grow up' too fast or who find solace in caring for others as a way to manage their own pain. The story follows Una, a young girl grieving her mother, who becomes obsessed with the well-being of a neglected neighborhood baby named Grubstreet. As Una's protective instincts lead her to make some impulsive and even dangerous choices, the narrative explores themes of misplaced responsibility and the desperate need for connection. This 1970s classic remains a powerful tool for opening conversations about the physical ache of grief and the difference between helping and hurting. It is a realistic, unsentimental look at how children try to fix their broken worlds when they feel the adults around them are failing to do so.
