
Reach for this book when your child is processing a major family separation, particularly one involving legal or systemic barriers like immigration or deportation. It is a gentle yet profound resource for children who feel invisible or powerless in the face of adult circumstances. The story follows Zitlally, whose father has been deported to Mexico. As she retreats into a private world of old car parts behind her trailer park, she discovers a stray dog named Star and begins to believe that his safety is cosmically linked to her father's return. This lyrical novel explores the heavy themes of grief and loneliness through a lens of magical realism and the healing power of friendship. It is ideally suited for children ages 8 to 12, offering a mirror for those in similar situations and a window of empathy for others. Parents will appreciate how it validates a child's internal struggle while gradually moving toward a message of resilience and community connection.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe dog, Star, goes missing and is in danger for a portion of the book.
Characters face systemic challenges and microaggressions due to their immigration status.
The book deals directly with illegal immigration and deportation. The approach is realistic but softened by Zitlally’s internal poetic voice and the use of magical realism. The resolution is hopeful in terms of emotional growth and community support, though it remains realistic regarding the father's legal status (he does not magically return home at the end).
A middle-grade reader who feels like an outsider or who is dealing with a 'living loss' where a loved one is gone but still alive elsewhere. It is perfect for a child who connects deeply with animals and uses their imagination to cope with reality.
Read cold, but be ready to discuss what deportation means. Page 125 involves a tense moment with the dog that may be upsetting for sensitive animal lovers. A parent might notice their child becoming unusually withdrawn, losing interest in hobbies, or engaging in 'superstitious' behaviors to control an uncontrollable situation.
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the dog-rescue plot and the friendship. Older readers (10-12) will better grasp the systemic injustice and the nuance of Zitlally's psychological coping mechanisms.
Resau uses a unique blend of gritty realism (the car cemetery) and lyrical, almost magical prose to elevate a political topic into a deeply personal, human experience.
Zitlally's father is deported to Mexico, leaving her family in a state of fractured grief and financial instability. Living in a trailer park, Zitlally seeks solace in a 'forest' of junked car parts where she finds a stray dog she names Star. She develops a magical-thinking belief that Star's well-being is the key to her father's safe return. When Star goes missing, Zitlally must break out of her shell, trust her neighbor Crystal, and navigate the complexities of her community to find him.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.