
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with a profound loss or when you want to foster a deeper understanding of neurodiversity. It is particularly powerful for families navigating the aftermath of a tragedy where the 'normal' rules of grieving don't seem to apply. Following Caitlin, a ten year old girl with Asperger's syndrome, the story explores her literal and emotional quest for 'Closure' after the death of her brother in a school shooting. Through Caitlin's unique perspective, the book addresses complex themes of empathy, social cues, and the messy process of healing. It is a deeply moving and realistic choice for middle schoolers that encourages patience, kindness, and the beauty of seeing the world in black and white before finding the colors in between.
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Sign in to write a reviewHeavy focus on grief, mourning, and a father's deep depression.
Some tense social interactions and a scene involving a woodworking tool.
The book deals directly with the aftermath of a school shooting and the death of a sibling. The approach is secular and starkly realistic. While the violence is not shown on page, the emotional fallout is intense. The resolution is hopeful and grounded in communal healing.
A middle school student who values honesty and logic, or a child who feels like an outsider and is looking for a protagonist who shares their sensory or social experiences.
Parents should be aware that the book mentions a school shooting. It is best to read this alongside the child or discuss the specific nature of the tragedy, as Caitlin's literal descriptions can be blunt. A parent might choose this after hearing their child express frustration about 'not fitting in' or after a community tragedy where the child is struggling to find the right words for their sorrow.
Younger readers (10-11) will focus on Caitlin's social struggles and the 'mission' of the chest. Older readers (13-14) will better grasp the nuance of the father's depression and the town's collective trauma.
Unlike many books about autism that focus on the burden on the family, this story is told entirely from Caitlin's first person perspective, forcing the reader to inhabit her sensory world and logic.
Caitlin is a ten year old girl on the autism spectrum living with her grieving father after her older brother, Devon, was killed in a school shooting. Caitlin relies on the 'manual' of social rules Devon taught her to navigate life. To help herself and her father move forward, she becomes obsessed with the idea of 'Closure,' which she believes can be achieved by finishing Devon's Boy Scout Eagle project: a wooden chest.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.