This is a genuinely good book about a genuinely hard topic. Amy Hest doesn't sugarcoat Annie's grief, but she also doesn't wallow in it—the story moves through everyday life (school, breakfast, walks in the park) while Annie and her dad figure out how to be okay again.

The scrapbook from Mrs. Rossi's students is the heart of the story, showing how community and memory can comfort without erasing pain. It's the kind of book that helps kids understand that sadness and joy can coexist, that healing isn't linear, and that it's okay to miss someone forever.

That said, this isn't casual reading. It's purpose-built for kids dealing with loss or learning to support others through grief. If your kid hasn't thought much about death yet, this might open doors you're not ready to walk through. But if they're ready—or if they need it—this is one of the better middle-grade grief books out there. Just keep tissues nearby and be available to talk.