2018
WISE Score
Amazon
A 12-year-old girl, a tooth-aching granny, and a 3 AM road trip that turns into a search for who you actually are when the family 'curse' hits the fan.
4.8
4.8View →Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)
This isn't just another middle-grade book; it's a DiCamillo heavy-hitter. It’s short, punchy, and emotionally resonant without being 'boring literary fiction.'
If your kid liked Raymie Nightingale or Because of Winn-Dixie, this is a no-brainer. It deals with some pretty intense abandonment and family dysfunction, but it does so with a weirdly comforting, 'we're all in this together' vibe. It's the kind of book that makes a kid feel seen rather than just entertained.
Perfect for the 10-13 crowd who are starting to realize their parents (and grandparents) are flawed humans, not just superheroes.
It handles heavy themes like abandonment and family dysfunction with a tone of 'practical optimism.' It models deep empathy and the idea that you can find 'family' in people who aren't related to you.
Louisiana’s voice is incredibly distinct and quirky. While it's grounded in reality, the way she perceives the world—and the concept of the 'curse of sundering'—invites kids to think about their own stories in a more creative, narrative way.
Extremely safe for the target age. No violence, gore, or inappropriate language. The 'danger' is emotional and situational (a grandmother's illness and eventual departure), which is handled with care.
This is a goldmine for emotional intelligence. It explores forgiveness, identity, and resilience in a way that actually sticks with a reader rather than just preaching at them.
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