
Reach for this book when your child expresses guilt or responsibility for your separation, or if they are actively trying to fix your marriage. It addresses the common childhood myth that if they were just better behaved or worked harder, their parents would stay together. Through the eyes of eight year old Perky, the story validates the confusion and grief children feel when a seemingly happy home changes. This is a compassionate tool for parents to reinforce that divorce is an adult decision, not a child's fault. It is specifically designed for elementary aged children navigating the messy transition between one home and two, offering a realistic look at the trial and error of coping with big family changes.
The book deals directly and secularly with divorce. The resolution is realistic rather than magical: the parents do not get back together, but Perky begins to understand that she will be okay and that the divorce is not her fault.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewAn 8 or 9 year old child who is acting as a 'fixer' in the family or who has explicitly asked what they did wrong to cause a separation.
Parents should be prepared to discuss the 'schemes' Perky tries, as a child might be inspired to try similar tactics. It is best read together to reinforce the message that the child cannot influence the outcome of the divorce. A parent might choose this after hearing their child say, 'If I clean my room every day, will Daddy move back in?' or seeing the child become overly obsessed with the parents' interactions.
Younger children (7) will focus on the friendship with Rosemary and the sadness of the split. Older children (9-10) will better grasp the nuance of Perky's internal guilt and the realization that parents are fallible humans.
Unlike many 'moving on' books, this focuses heavily on the 'reconciliation fantasy' and the specific guilt children carry, giving those feelings a name so they can be addressed.
Pricilla Elizabeth Rodkey, known as Perky, is an eight year old girl whose world is turned upside down by her parents' decision to divorce. Believing she is responsible for the rift, she enlists her best friend Rosemary to help her execute various schemes to 'save' the marriage. The story follows her journey from denial and misplaced guilt to a realistic acceptance of her new family structure.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.