For a young reader trying to understand a parent's changing behavior due to mental illness, this book offers a poignant and realistic look at family resilience and coping. It explores a difficult situ
A parent might reach for this book when their child is struggling to understand a parent's confusing behavior due to mental illness, like depression or severe anxiety. It tells the story of Matt, a young pianist whose world is shaken when his mother has a mental breakdown and is hospitalized. The book sensitively explores Matt’s feelings of confusion, guilt, and loneliness, while also highlighting the strength he finds in music, friendship, and family love. For ages 9 to 13, it provides a gentle, realistic entry point into a difficult topic, helping children see that a parent's illness is not their fault and that it's okay to have complicated feelings. It offers comfort and a language for families navigating a new reality together.
The book deals directly with parental mental illness, likely depression, from a child's perspective. The descriptions are behavioral (crying, silence, pacing) rather than clinical. The approach is secular and focuses on the emotional impact on the family. The resolution is realistic and hopeful: it's not about a magical cure, but about the family learning to cope, communicate, and live with a new reality.
Ideal Reader
A child aged 10-13 whose parent is experiencing a mental health crisis, particularly depression. This reader likely feels confused, isolated, and may even blame themselves for the changes at home. They need reassurance that they are not alone and that the situation is not their fault.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared to talk openly about mental illness. The book avoids clinical labels, so a parent might need to supply context (e.g., "What's happening to Matt's mum is an illness called depression"). The scenes of the mother's breakdown and Matt's distress could be difficult for a child in a similar situation. Reading it together is highly recommended to provide immediate support and context. A parent hears their child say something like, "Why is Mom always so sad?" or "Is it my fault?" The child may have become withdrawn, anxious, or is struggling to have friends over because of the atmosphere at home.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will connect with the core emotions of sadness, confusion, and the importance of friendship. An older reader (11-13) will better appreciate the nuanced family dynamics, the father's struggle to communicate, the social stigma of mental illness, and the powerful metaphor of the title piece, "Hands in Contrary Motion," representing internal conflict.
What Makes It Special
This book's unique strength lies in its quiet, realistic portrayal of the onset of depression and its focus on the child's internal experience of confusion when adults are not communicating clearly. The use of music as both a source of stress and a profound emotional outlet for the protagonist is a particularly effective and moving element.
Read plot summary
Matt, a talented young pianist, finds his life thrown into turmoil as his mother's behavior becomes increasingly erratic and withdrawn. She is eventually hospitalized for what is implied to be a nervous breakdown or severe depression. Matt must navigate his father's stoic silence, his own feelings of guilt and confusion, bullying at school, and the pressure of an upcoming music competition. Through a new friendship and his passion for music, Matt slowly begins to process his family's situation and find a path toward understanding and resilience.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Matt's dad finds it very hard to talk about what is happening with his mum. Why do you think he keeps it a secret from Matt at first? Do you think this helped or hurt Matt?
2
The piano piece "Hands in Contrary Motion" is very important in the story. How is the title of that piece a good description of how Matt is feeling inside?
3
After an argument about piano practice, Matt worries he is to blame for his mother's sadness. Why do kids sometimes feel like a parent's illness is their fault? How does Matt learn this isn't true?
4
How does Matt's friendship with Tasmin change things for him? What specific things does she say or do that help him feel less alone?
