All the Ways Home

After his mother passes away, Kaede travels from North America to Japan. His mission is twofold: to fulfill his mother's final wishes and to reconnect with his estranged father. Along the way, he must navigate language barriers, cultural nuances, and the internal struggle of being biracial in a society where he does not quite fit in. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals directly with the death of a parent and the resulting grief. The approach is secular and deeply realistic, focusing on the emotional logistics of loss rather than spiritual explanations. The resolution is hopeful but grounded, emphasizing that healing is a journey rather than a destination. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story begins in a place of heavy, isolated sadness and gradually builds toward connection and self-acceptance. It is a slow-burn emotional experience that mirrors the pace of real-life grieving. IDEAL READER: A middle-grade reader who feels 'in-between' (due to heritage, moving, or family changes) and is looking for a protagonist who mirrors their own quiet resilience. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might choose this after hearing their child say, 'I don't feel like I belong anywhere,' or after noticing the child struggling to express their grief months after a loss. PARENT PREP: Parents should be prepared for scenes involving the physical handling of ashes and the raw reality of Kaede's resentment toward his father. It is best read alongside a child to navigate the nuanced cultural differences depicted. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers will focus on the travel adventure and the quest to find a parent, while older readers will better grasp the subtle pains of cultural identity and the complexity of forgiveness. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many grief books that focus on the immediate aftermath, this one uses a literal and metaphorical journey across cultures to explore how identity and loss are intertwined.