A parent might reach for this book when their child is facing the loss of a beloved elder or the unsettling fear of losing their home. It's a gentle, classic story that provides a safe space to explore these difficult emotions. The book tells the story of Tibby, whose stable life is shattered when the elderly woman she lives with, Miss Pomeroy, dies. When greedy relatives arrive to sell the house, Tibby must race against time to solve a mystery involving an old rocking horse to find a hidden will. It beautifully handles themes of resilience, grief, and unconventional family, showing how a child can find agency and bravery in a world of adult problems. Perfect for readers who appreciate classic, heartfelt mysteries.
The book deals directly with the death of a guardian figure. The approach is secular and focuses on the practical and emotional aftermath (grief, fear, instability) rather than the process of dying. The resolution is entirely hopeful, with justice prevailing. Financial hardship and the threat of homelessness are central, portrayed as a direct and frightening reality for the child protagonist.
Ideal Reader
An 8-to-11-year-old who feels a lack of control in their life, especially in the face of major family changes like a move or the loss of a grandparent. This reader would be empowered by Tibby's quiet competence and courage. It's also perfect for a child who enjoys classic, gentle mysteries and stories with a strong sense of place.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. The death of Miss Pomeroy is handled gently. A parent might want to be prepared to discuss the concept of a will and why families sometimes disagree about inheritance. The relatives are starkly portrayed as selfish, which can be a good conversation starter about different types of behavior. A parent has just witnessed their child's anxiety about instability. The child might have asked, "What would happen if we had to move?" or is processing the death of a family friend or relative and worrying about the changes it will bring. The parent is looking for a story that models resilience and hope, not just sadness.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will latch onto the mystery plot: the clues, the search, and the clear good-guys-vs-bad-guys narrative. An older reader (10-12) will appreciate the deeper emotional layers: the injustice of the class disparity, Tibby's deep-seated fear of displacement, and the meaning of a chosen family versus a biological one.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many contemporary books on loss, this story has a timeless, almost fairytale quality. The resolution comes not from community support or social systems, but from the cleverness of the deceased and the loyalty of the child. It uses the classic "hidden will" trope to give the child protagonist complete agency in saving her own future, which is incredibly empowering.
Read plot summary
Young Tibby and her mother, a housekeeper, live with the kind, elderly Miss Pomeroy. When Miss Pomeroy dies, her avaricious relatives arrive, planning to sell the house and dismiss Tibby's family, leaving them homeless. Remembering Miss Pomeroy’s cryptic words about a secret, Tibby believes a hidden will is concealed within an old wooden rocking horse. It becomes a race against time for Tibby to uncover the secret before she and her mother are turned out of the only home she has ever known.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Tibby decided not to tell her mother about her search for the will. Why do you think she kept it a secret? Do you think this was a brave choice or a risky one?
2
Miss Pomeroy created a very clever plan to make sure her final wishes were followed. What does her secret plan tell us about her personality and who she trusted most?
3
The relatives, Mr. and Mrs. Cuthbert, believed they were the rightful owners of the house. How was their idea of what makes a family different from the family Tibby had with her mother and Miss Pomeroy?
4
If you were in Tibby's position, what would you have found most frightening: Miss Pomeroy's death, the Cuthberts' cruelty, or the possibility of losing your home?
