About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is facing a major transition, like moving to a new town or dealing with a parent's career change, and seems paralyzed by the uncertainty. It is a comforting entry point for discussing how families stick together when life feels unpredictable. Through the eyes of second-grader Reuben, we experience the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression not just as history, but as a series of emotional hurdles: losing a home, starting over, and watching a parent take risks to provide for the family. While the setting is historical, the emotional core is timeless. Reuben's specific fear of flying serves as a perfect metaphor for the 'free-fall' feeling of childhood anxiety. It is ideally suited for children ages 7 to 10 who are ready for a short chapter book that treats their fears with dignity. Parents will appreciate how the story emphasizes that bravery is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to move forward even when your knees are shaking.
