Cat and her brother Chicken have always had a very special bond — Cat is one of the few people who can keep Chicken happy. When he has a "meltdown" she's the one who scratches his back and reads his favorite story. She's the one who knows what Chicken needs. Since their mom has had to work double-hard to keep their family afloat after their father passed away, Cat has been the glue holding her family together.
But even the strongest glue sometimes struggles to hold. When a summer trip doesn't go according to plan, Cat and Chicken end up spending three weeks with grandparents they never knew. For the first time in years, Cat has the opportunity to be a kid again, and the journey she takes shows that even the most broken or strained relationships can be healed if people take the time to walk in one another's shoes. This beautifully written, emotional debut perfect for fans of Lynda Mullaly Hunt or Ali Benjamin tells the story of a girl, her special needs brother, and the summer they will never forget.
Cat’s curiosity about the troubled history between her mother and [grandfather] brings her insecurities about her often overwhelming role as Chicken’s caretaker to the fore, leading to a summer of difficult conversations and necessary change in family dynamics. Cat’s developing relationship with her grandparents, shifting role in Chicken’s life, and growth toward a more honest relationship with her mother are deeply moving in their realism, as are Cat’s burgeoning self-awareness and self-advocacy. Set against a cushioning backdrop of fishing, beach trips, and ice cream, McDunn’s poignant, gratifying debut about friendship and family encourages both empathy and hope." — Publishers Weekly
Recommended Age | 9 - 13 |
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Author | Gillian McDunn |
ISBN | 168119743X |
Publication Date | Apr 2, 2019 |
Publisher | Bloomsbury Children's Books |
Language | English |