
A parent would reach for this book when their child is experiencing a disconnect with a family member or navigating the heavy, confusing emotions of a loved one's serious illness. Safiya is a thirteen-year-old girl who struggles to relate to her mother, but when her mother falls into a coma, Safiya is transported into a magical, video-game-like version of her mother's childhood in Kuwait. Through these vivid memories, Safiya collects 'stars' to bring her mother back, learning about her mother's identity beyond just being a parent. It is a beautiful, emotionally resonant choice for middle-grade readers (ages 9-13) that balances the weight of grief with the wonder of discovery and the healing power of cultural heritage.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe book deals directly with the fear of losing a parent to illness. The approach is metaphorical, using a magical realism framework to process grief and regret. The resolution is realistic and bittersweet: while there is hope, it emphasizes the importance of 'letting go' and accepting change rather than a perfect 'happily ever after' healing.
A 10-to-12-year-old who feels like their parents are 'boring' or 'too strict' and needs to see them as whole people with their own histories, or a child dealing with a relative in the hospital.
Parents should be aware that the book deals with the very real possibility of a parent not waking up. Read cold, but be ready for a long hug and a conversation about family history afterward. A parent might see their child pulling away, saying 'You don't understand me,' or witnessing the child's silent anxiety following a family medical emergency.
Younger readers will latch onto the 'quest' and gaming elements, while older readers will more deeply feel the weight of Safiya's regret and the complexity of the mother-daughter bond.
It uniquely blends 'retro-gaming' aesthetics with Middle Eastern heritage and contemporary grief, making a heavy topic feel accessible through the lens of a fantasy quest.
Safiya is a young girl interested in gaming and coding who feels her mother doesn't understand her. When her mother suffers a sudden stroke and enters a coma, Safiya finds herself transported into her mother's past in Kuwait. By navigating these memories as if they were levels in a game, Safiya uncovers the secrets of her mother's youth and the historical context of her family's move to the UK.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.