Children are drawn into the immediate responsibility of keeping the vulnerable goose eggs alive, which provides a tangible focus for Amy's energy.
The descriptions of the Canadian landscape and the tactile experience of caring for birds make the setting feel like a place the reader can step into.
Readers will relate to Amy's journey from feeling powerless after her mother's death to gaining the confidence to lead her brood and reclaim her life.
The book captures the delicate and realistic way a child and parent learn to talk to each other again after being separated by distance and tragedy.
Reach for this book when your child is navigating a major life transition, such as the loss of a loved one or a move to an unfamiliar environment. This moving story follows thirteen-year-old Amy as she relocates from New Zealand to Canada after the tragic death of her mother. Estranged from her father and struggling with her grief, Amy finds a sense of purpose and healing by rescuing and raising a brood of orphaned goslings. Through the responsibility of caring for these birds, she begins to rebuild her relationship with her father and find her own wings. It is a beautiful exploration of resilience and the restorative power of nature. Parents will appreciate the way it handles heavy themes of loss and estrangement with a hopeful, adventurous spirit that emphasizes agency and emotional growth.