Summary

A young girl loses her brother Joey after a sudden illness. She feels guilty at first and feels as if her parents don't love her anymore and they preferred Joey to her. The only person that understands is her grandma who lost her brother when she was younger as well. No one at school can understand what she's experienced until a counselor comes to speak with her about joining a group. Initially she has no interest in sitting in a group of sad people but she realizes that they have all experienced a huge loss in their life and becomes close with them. She acknowledges that her feelings are perfectly normal and healthy and that her parents are going through their own grief and it is not her fault they fight. Her parents decide to join a parents group and things at home get better. She becomes a helper in the support group and finds comfort in helping other kids that have experienced similar losses.

Quotes

"When Joey died I thought I could never be happy again, but I am happy most of the time now. Even when I am sad, I feel good about myself. I feel brave and strong. I know that the very worst thing that can happen to me, losing somebody I love, has happened, and I have come through it alright. Nothing will ever be worse than Joey dying."

General Themes

Grief Process

What the Reviewer Liked

Writing Style

Author Qualifications

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Kara is the Gothic root of the word "care."
It means to reach out, to care, to lament, to grieve with.