Umbrella Summer

Umbrella Summer tells the poignant story of ten-year-old Annie, who is struggling profoundly after the sudden death of her older brother, Jared. Overwhelmed by grief, Annie develops intense anxieties about everything from bee stings to bike riding, seeing danger everywhere. Her world feels small and scary until she meets a new neighbor, a girl who is also navigating her own experience of loss. Through their developing friendship, Annie slowly begins to process her grief, challenge her fears, and find her way back to a more hopeful outlook. This book offers a sensitive and realistic portrayal of childhood grief and anxiety, emphasizing the healing power of connection and understanding.

After her brother Jared dies, ten-year-old Annie worries about the hidden dangers of everything, from bug bites to bicycle riding, until she is befriended by a new neighbor who is grieving her own loss.