This book succeeds through the witty dialogue between Ash and her aging grandmother and the use of familiar neighborhoods as superhero battlegrounds. Ash is a clumsy protagonist who keeps secrets from her parents while navigating her grandmother's memory loss. Books in this family share intergenerational relationships, fast paced graphic novel action, and humor rooted in real life mistakes.
Reach for this book when you notice your child becoming frustrated or confused by a grandparent's increasing forgetfulness or changing personality. It serves as a gentle bridge for families navigating the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer's, reframing memory loss through a lens of secret identities and shared missions. While the story is fast-paced and funny, it provides a safe space for children to process the bittersweet reality of a loved one's aging. Ash is a relatable eleven-year-old who finds a new connection with her grandmother, Ah Ma, when they both discover they have superpowers. As they fight petty crimes together, Ash notices Ah Ma's occasional confusion. This graphic novel helps children aged 8 to 12 understand that while a person's memory might fade, their heroic spirit and the love they have for their family remain unchanged. It is an empowering choice for encouraging empathy and acceptance within multigenerational households.
