The Empress of Elsewhere

In 'The Empress of Elsewhere,' young Jimmy and his sister find themselves drawn into the lives of their eccentric, wealthy neighbor and her difficult granddaughter. Their initial task of helping to retrieve a runaway capuchin monkey quickly evolves into a deeper connection, as Jimmy helps the granddaughter navigate the complexities of her family's hidden past. This heartwarming novel explores themes of intergenerational friendship, empathy, forgiveness, and the power of uncovering truth, all while featuring an engaging animal companion. It's suitable for independent readers aged 8-12, and makes a wonderful read-aloud for slightly younger children, sparking discussions about family dynamics and kindness.

When he and his younger sister agree to help their wealthy, elderly neighbor care for the capuchin monkey that keeps getting away from her, Jimmy also helps the woman's troublesome granddaughter deal with secrets from her family's past.