
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the sudden absence of a parent due to work, military service, or changing family roles. It speaks directly to the 'middle school' transition where a child must suddenly step up and manage adult-sized responsibilities while their emotional world feels fragile. The story follows eleven-year-old Jasmyn as her mother is deployed to the Persian Gulf, leaving Jasmyn to navigate chores, a baby brother, and soccer season with her mother's boyfriend. It is a grounded, realistic look at resilience and the complex feelings of resentment and pride that come with being part of a military family. Written for ages 9 to 12, it validates the stress of being the one left behind and provides a roadmap for finding strength in community and new family structures.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe book handles parental separation and the fear of war directly. While the conflict is in the background, the anxiety of potential loss is real and secular. The resolution is realistic, focusing on personal growth rather than a 'magic' return to the status quo.
A 10-year-old who feels 'over-parented' or, conversely, a child who has had to take on significant household chores and feels invisible in their efforts.
Parents should be prepared to discuss what the Persian Gulf War was, as the historical context (1991) might be foreign to modern children. The book can be read cold but benefits from a map to show the distance involved. A parent might see their child acting out or withdrawing when a major change occurs in the household, such as a long-term business trip or a change in primary caregivers.
Younger readers (9) will focus on the stress of the chores and the baby. Older readers (12) will pick up on the nuance of the relationship between Jasmyn and Lloyd, and the shift in Jasmyn's perspective on her mother as a hero.
Unlike many military books that focus on the soldier, this centers entirely on the 'home front' and the specific challenges of a blended family unit during a crisis.
Jasmyn is a typical pre-teen in Maine whose biggest worries are making the soccer team and navigating her relationship with her mother's boyfriend, Lloyd. Everything changes when her mother, a member of the Army National Guard, is deployed to Saudi Arabia during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. Jasmyn is left with Lloyd and her infant half-brother, Andrew. The narrative tracks her growth from a child who relies on her mother to a capable, albeit stressed, young leader of her household.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.