If Only

"If Only" is a poignant middle-grade novel that delves into the raw and complex experience of grief through the eyes of 13-year-old Corinna. The story follows her journey from the beginning of eighth grade to the start of ninth, as she grapples with the recent death of her mother from cancer. Geithner sensitively portrays how such a profound loss impacts every facet of a young person's life, from school and friendships to family dynamics and her own evolving identity. Parents will appreciate the book's honest exploration of sadness, resilience, and the slow, often messy, process of healing, offering a valuable resource for understanding and discussing grief with pre-teens and young teenagers.

From the beginning of eighth grade to the start of ninth, Maryland thirteen-year-old Corinna grieves for her mother, who died of cancer, and struggles to cope with changes to all aspects of her life brought on by her loss.