
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the weight of an unspoken apology, the sting of being left out, or the quiet ache of a major life transition. Unlike a traditional story, this is a collection of chants, blessings, and spells designed to give language to complex feelings that children often struggle to name. It serves as a gentle emotional toolkit for those moments when life feels overwhelming or unfair. Through lush, surreal illustrations and poignant verse, Joyce Sidman explores themes of forgiveness, resilience, and the necessity of both solitude and connection. It is an ideal choice for middle schoolers and teens who are moving away from simple explanations of 'right and wrong' and into the nuanced reality of human relationships. This book validates their inner world while offering a steadying hand through the darkness.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe book deals with death, loneliness, and interpersonal conflict through a metaphorical lens. The approach is secular but spiritual in its reverence for nature and the human heart. The resolution is consistently hopeful and empowering, focusing on the reader's internal agency.
A thoughtful 12-year-old who feels things deeply and might be struggling to repair a relationship or find their place in a new social circle. It is perfect for the 'old soul' child who finds comfort in art and metaphor rather than direct advice.
Read the 'Laments' section first. Some poems about anger or 'staying small' are quite visceral and may require a conversation about how we channel those intense feelings into constructive actions. A parent might reach for this after seeing their child retreat into their room after a fight with a best friend, or when a child expresses a profound, existential 'why' regarding a loss or change.
Younger readers (ages 10-12) will be drawn to the magical, surrealist imagery and the rhythmic 'spell-like' quality of the text. Older readers (14+) will connect more deeply with the nuanced subtext of the poems regarding regret and the complexity of forgiveness.
Unlike many 'feelings' books that can feel clinical or overly simplistic, this collection treats the child's emotional life with high-art gravity and poetic sophistication, never talking down to the reader.
This is a curated collection of poetry organized into four sections: Chants and Charms (for strength), Spells and Incantations (for transformation), Laments and Remonstrations (for grief and anger), and Benedictions and Blessings (for peace). There is no linear plot, but rather a thematic progression through the human experience of struggle and recovery.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.