
Reach for this book when your child is processing a loved one's serious illness or cognitive decline, particularly early-onset Alzheimer's. It offers a gentle but honest bridge for discussing the grief that happens even before someone is gone. Cassie's story explores the complex transition from being a child who is cared for to a child who must help care for a parent. Through themes of resilience, art, and the healing power of nature, it helps middle grade readers navigate the 'space between' who their loved one was and who they are becoming. It is a compassionate choice for validating the anger, sadness, and deep love that coexist during family health crises.
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Sign in to write a reviewCassie lies to her father and breaks rules to fulfill her mother's wish.
The book deals directly with terminal illness and cognitive decline. The approach is realistic and secular, focusing on emotional connection and the science of memory rather than spiritual explanations. The resolution is bittersweet: it is hopeful in terms of Cassie's personal growth, but realistic about her mother's prognosis.
A 10 to 12 year old who is a 'young carer' or witnessing a grandparent or parent struggle with dementia. It is perfect for a child who expresses their feelings through art and feels misunderstood by the adults in their life.
Parents should be aware of the scene where Cassie secretly takes her mother away without permission. This 'risky' behavior is a manifestation of her grief and needs to be discussed as a desperate attempt at connection rather than simple rebellion. A child might express resentment toward the healthy parent for being 'too strict' or pull away from friends because they feel 'no one understands' their home life.
Younger readers (age 8-9) will focus on the dolphin adventure and the sadness of the mother forgetting things. Older readers (11-12) will better grasp the nuance of Cassie's identity crisis and the changing dynamics of her friendship with Bailey.
Unlike many books about dementia that focus on grandparents, this focuses on a parent, which raises the stakes for the protagonist's own development and daily life.
Cassie is a young girl dealing with the fallout of her mother's early-onset Alzheimer's. As her mom's memory fades, Cassie's father becomes more protective, stifling Cassie's need for connection and adventure. Cassie eventually takes a significant risk to take her mother on a final bucket-list trip to swim with dolphins, hoping to spark a moment of recognition and joy.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.