While her grandmother was alive, Emma’s world was filled with enchantment. But now Gram is gone, and suddenly strange spots are appearing on Emma’s skin. If she just had her father's "buttercream" skin they wouldn't be obvious, she thinks, but on her dark skin, they're immediately visible. Soon, she’s diagnosed with vitiligo — a condition that makes patches of her skin lose their color — and the magic in her world is suddenly replaced with school bullies and doctor appointments.
But when Emma writes one last story in the journal she shared with Gram, something strange happens. Someone writes back to her, just like Gram used to. Who’s writing to Emma? And just what is her story going to be, now that everything is so different? Award-winning author Ali Standish explores the ways life transforms us, and how we learn to let go of what we must while still holding fast to who we are.
"On top of dealing with Gram’s death and a strained familial relationship, Emma, whose skin resembles her mother’s (it’s 'much darker' than her father’s 'buttercream' complexion), notices white spots on her skin — spots that multiply and get bigger by the day. What follows is a season of growth as Emma learns to navigate the complexities of her newly diagnosed vitiligo while puzzling through a few mysteries left by Gram. Though the ending feels a bit too neat, this tale succeeds in celebrating curiosity, thoughtfulness, and collaboration, centering on relatable characters who welcome readers into their world." — Publishers Weekly
Recommended Age | 10 - 13 |
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Author | Ali Standish |
ISBN | 0062893289 |
Publication Date | Apr 28, 2020 |
Publisher | HarperCollins |
Language | English |