A parent might reach for this book when their child is navigating the profound grief of losing a parent and the disorientation of a major move. After his father’s death, eleven-year-old Jimmy must leave his beloved pueblo home for the city, a place he finds gray and lonely. The story gently follows Jimmy’s journey through sadness and anger, guided by his grandfather’s quiet, nature-based wisdom. Appropriate for ages 9-12, this contemplative book offers comfort and models a healthy way to process difficult emotions, making it a powerful choice for families seeking a story that honors grief while patiently pointing toward hope and resilience.
The central topic is the death of a parent, which occurs before the story begins. The book's approach is direct and secular, focusing on the emotional aftermath: grief, anger, and disorientation. The family's Pueblo heritage informs their worldview, but it is presented as a cultural and philosophical framework, not a religious one. The resolution is hopeful and realistic. Jimmy doesn't magically stop grieving, but he finds coping mechanisms and a new sense of peace and belonging.
Ideal Reader
An introspective child, aged 9-12, who is struggling with significant loss, particularly the death of a loved one combined with a disorienting move. This book is for a child who feels isolated, angry, and disconnected from their identity, and who might benefit from a quiet story over a high-action one.
Parent Prep
No specific pages require previewing. Parents should be aware that the book's pace is slow and its focus is on internal emotional change, not external plot events. The best way to use this book is to read it alongside the child and be ready for conversations about what 'home' means, how we carry memories, and how we can find comfort in nature and family wisdom. It can be read cold. A parent has just seen their child act out in anger or withdraw completely after a major life change. They might hear their child say, "I hate it here," "I want to go back home," or express feelings of profound unfairness and loneliness.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will connect strongly with Jimmy's tangible feelings: missing his dad, hating his new school, and feeling lonely. An older reader (11-12) is more likely to appreciate the philosophical layers of the grandfather’s teachings about cultural identity, connection to the earth, and the idea of an internal versus external world.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many grief books that focus on peer support or therapy, this story centers on intergenerational wisdom within an Indigenous cultural framework. The grandfather's character provides a powerful, gentle model for processing emotion. The unique focus on finding nature and heritage within an urban landscape provides a fresh and deeply resonant path to healing.
Read plot summary
Eleven-year-old Jimmy, who is Pueblo, is consumed by grief and anger after his father's death, a situation made worse when he and his mother must move from their rural pueblo to the city. Living with his grandfather, Jimmy feels lost and disconnected. Through his grandfather’s patient teachings, which are rooted in a deep connection to nature and heritage, Jimmy slowly learns to find his world, and himself, wherever he is.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Grandfather says Jimmy carries the pueblo inside him. What do you think he means by that? What special places or memories do you carry inside you?
2
Jimmy feels angry and lonely when he first moves to the city. How does his grandfather help him see the city differently? Have you ever felt out of place somewhere new?
3
At the beginning of the book, Jimmy smashes a clay pot his father made. Why do you think he did that? How did his feelings about his father's creations change by the end?
4
Grandfather teaches Jimmy to find nature in the city, like in the small park or a handful of dirt. Where are some unexpected places you could find nature near your home or school?
