This is the kind of middle-grade novel that sticks with you—the one kids remember years later when they face their own hard moments. Catherine Bruton doesn't shy away from the weight of grief and trauma, but she wraps it in a nature-conservation story that gives readers something concrete to hold onto.

The friendship between Will and Omar feels earned, not manufactured for a diversity checkbox. The osprey rehabilitation thread is specific enough to be interesting (you'll learn actual bird care details) while serving as a perfect metaphor for Will's own healing without beating you over the head with it.

It's not a breezy read—this is for kids who are ready to sit with sadness and come out the other side. But for the right reader at the right time, it's exactly what they need. Strong choice for families navigating loss, cultural transition, or just wanting to build empathy muscles.