
Reach for this book when your child is facing a major transition, such as moving to a new neighborhood or navigating the emotional aftermath of a parental divorce. Elana Rose Rosen, or Lanny, is finding her footing in a bustling New York City apartment complex after her parents split. Through Lanny's eyes, children see that while change is difficult and big feelings are normal, there is also the exciting possibility of finding a new sense of belonging. The story emphasizes resilience and the joy of simple pleasures, like a silver blue scooter and the diverse group of neighbors who become an extended family. It is a gentle, realistic, and deeply comforting choice for children ages 7 to 10 who are learning to redefine what home means.
The book addresses divorce and moving with a direct, secular, and highly realistic approach. It doesn't sugarcoat Lanny's occasional loneliness or the friction of change, but the resolution is hopeful and grounded in community support.
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Sign in to write a reviewAn 8-year-old who feels like an outsider in a new school or neighborhood, or a child who is struggling to articulate their feelings about a family separation and needs a relatable peer model.
This book can be read cold. Parents may want to look at the acrostic poems and recipes at the end of chapters to use them as interactive activities. A parent might see their child sitting on the sidelines at a park or overhear them expressing anxiety about 'which house' they belong to.
Younger readers (7) will focus on the scooter tricks and the fun of the apartment 'playground.' Older readers (9-10) will pick up on the nuances of Lanny's relationship with her mother and the subtle sting of her father's absence.
Williams uses a unique format: hand-lettered acrostics, recipes, and detailed illustrations that make the book feel like Lanny’s personal scrapbook. It celebrates urban community life with a warmth rarely seen in middle-grade fiction.
After her parents' divorce, Elana Rose Rosen (Lanny) moves with her mother to a large, diverse apartment building in New York City. The story follows Lanny as she explores her new urban environment on her beloved silver blue scooter, navigating the social hierarchy of the 'big kids' and the 'little kids' in the building. Through a series of vignettes, Lanny forms deep bonds with neighbors, masters scooter stunts, and processes the logistical and emotional shifts of living in a single-parent household.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.