Reach for this book when your middle-grade child is struggling to understand why a loved one's moods are unpredictable or when your family is facing a period of instability. It provides a vital mirror for children who feel they have to be the 'grown-up' in the house due to a parent's mental health challenges. The story follows Tess, a resilient twelve-year-old who moves to a small town in New York where her mother opens an ice cream shop. While the shop is a sweet dream, the reality of her mother's bipolar disorder creates a world of 'up' days and 'down' days that Tess and her younger brother must navigate. It is a deeply compassionate look at the burden of being a young caregiver, the importance of community support, and the realization that while you can't fix a parent, you can still love them. This is an essential read for fostering empathy and providing comfort to children living in similar high-stakes domestic situations.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe book deals directly with bipolar disorder and mental illness. It is secular and grounded in realistic fiction. The resolution is hopeful but realistic: the mother receives professional help and the children find a support system, but the illness is not 'cured.'
A 10 to 12-year-old who is a 'young carer' or a child who feels a deep sense of responsibility for their parents' happiness. It is also perfect for kids who love stories about entrepreneurship and community.
Parents should be prepared to discuss what bipolar disorder is. There are scenes of the mother spending money recklessly and staying in bed for days that may require context about medical treatment. A parent might see their child being overly cautious, 'walking on eggshells,' or taking on chores and worries that should belong to an adult.
Younger readers will focus on the siblings' bond and the fun of the ice cream shop. Older readers (12 plus) will pick up on the heavy anxiety Tess feels and the financial precariousness of their situation.
Unlike many books that focus on a parent's physical illness, this captures the specific 'invisible' weight of mental health struggles and the unique social stigma of being the 'unreliable' family in a small town.
Twelve-year-old Tess, her younger brother Jonah, and their mother move to Schenectady, New York, to open 'Rocky Road,' an ice cream shop. This is their mother's latest attempt at a fresh start. Tess is the family's secret anchor, managing the finances and her mother's bipolar manic and depressive episodes. As the business fluctuates, Tess must learn to trust others and accept that she cannot carry her family's survival on her shoulders alone.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.