A parent might reach for this book when their child feels lost or invisible in the shuffle of a major family change, like a divorce or remarriage. This story follows twelve-year-old Cyn, who feels completely overlooked after her parents split. Her dad has a new family that doesn't seem to include her, and her mom is lost in her own sadness. Believing that the only way to be missed is to disappear, Cyn runs away to live in her deceased grandmother's empty house. This book gently explores complex themes of loneliness, belonging, and parental depression, making it ideal for readers aged 9 to 13. It offers a powerful, hopeful message that a child can find their own voice and reclaim their space, even when the world around them feels chaotic and dismissive.
A 12-year-old character runs away from home and lives alone for a period.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly and realistically with the emotional fallout of divorce, blended families, and parental depression. The approach is secular and focuses on the child's internal experience. The resolution is hopeful, not because the parents magically fix everything, but because the protagonist develops the internal tools and confidence to advocate for herself. The grief over a deceased grandparent is a background element.
Ideal Reader
A sensitive, introspective 10-13 year old navigating a parental divorce, a new blended family, or a parent's emotional neglect. It's particularly suited for a child who tends to internalize their feelings and needs a model for speaking up and taking space.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware that the protagonist runs away and lives alone. This presents a good opportunity to discuss safe and unsafe ways to deal with overwhelming feelings. The mother's depression is portrayed realistically and could be a conversation starter about mental health. The book can be read cold, but these topics may warrant discussion. A parent notices their child has become unusually quiet or withdrawn following a major family upset. The child might say something like, "You wouldn't even notice if I were gone," or seem to be trying to make themselves smaller and less of a bother.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will connect with the feeling of being ignored and the adventure of Cyn's secret life in her grandmother's house. An older reader (11-13) will more deeply appreciate the psychological nuances of the family dynamics, the mother's depression, and Cyn's journey toward self-advocacy and a stronger sense of identity.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many books that focus on the initial chaos of divorce, this one excels at exploring the quiet, lonely aftermath. Its unique strength lies in validating the feeling of being 'erased' in a new family structure. The resolution is particularly empowering because it is driven by the main character's internal growth rather than a change in her parents' behavior.
Read plot summary
Twelve-year-old Cynthia, or Cyn, feels invisible in the wake of her parents' divorce. Her father has remarried and is focused on his new stepson, while her mother is withdrawn and severely depressed. Convinced she has to vanish to be noticed, Cyn runs away to her beloved, deceased grandmother's vacant house. There, she attempts to live in secret, navigating loneliness and the challenges of self-reliance. She unexpectedly befriends a boy who is also an outcast, and through their connection, she begins to find the strength to confront her family and demand to be seen. The plot centers on her emotional journey from feeling like a ghost to actively engineering her own 'miraculous reappearance'.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Before she runs away, Cyn feels invisible. What were some specific moments in the story when her parents or brother made her feel this way?
2
Cyn's friendship with Jay helps her in many ways. How did meeting him change her plan and the way she saw her own situation?
3
At the end of the book, Cyn says she is 'reappearing'. What does she mean by that? What specific actions did she take to make her reappearance happen?
4
Cyn decides that running away is the only solution to her problem. Do you think she made the right choice? What are some other things she could have tried?
5
How does the memory of Cyn's grandmother and her empty house play a role in the story? Why was it so important for her to go there?
