The sensitive, suspenseful story of a family coping with a life-changing tragedy, told in stunning verse.
Is it wrong to grieve for someone who is still alive?
Claireโs mom and dad donโt talk to each other much anymore. And they definitely donโt laugh or dance the way they used to. Their tense, stilted stand offs leave thirteen-year-old Claire, an only child, caught in the middle. So when the family takes their annual summer vacation, Claire sticks her nose in a book and hopes for the best. Maybe the sunshine and ocean breeze will fix whatโs gone wrong.
But while the family is away, Claireโs mother has a ruptured brain aneurysmโright after she reveals a huge secret to Claire. Though she survives the rupture, it seems like she is an entirely different person. Claire has no idea if her mom meant what she said, or if she even remembers saying it. With the weight of her momโs confession on her shoulders, Claire must navigate fear, grief, and prospects for recovery.
Will her mom ever be the same? Will her parents stay together? And if the answer to either question is yes, how will Claire learn to live with what she knows? This beautifully written novel speaks to kidsโ fears and credits their strength, and stems from the authorโs incredible experience surviving two ruptured aneurysms.
An NCTE Notable Verse Novel
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
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