About This Book
A parent should reach for this book when their child is trying to make sense of a parent's long-term absence, such as a military deployment or extended work travel. It's a story for the imaginative child who uses creativity to process big, confusing feelings. Twelve-year-old Ruby Miller channels her love for movies into screenplays, turning her own life into a film to solve the mystery of her father's five-year absence. She believes her little brother's toy woolly mammoth is receiving secret messages from him. This book gently explores themes of hope, family love, and the sadness of missing someone, making it ideal for ages 9-13. It uniquely shows how art and storytelling can be powerful tools for a child to navigate uncertainty and maintain connection.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The central theme is parental absence due to long-term deployment. The topic is handled with immense sensitivity, using Ruby's creative lens as a buffer and a processing tool. The approach is secular. The resolution is not a magical reunion but a realistic and hopeful emotional breakthrough. Ruby accepts the reality of her situation but finds a powerful, new way to feel close to her father, providing a sense of peace and resilience.
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