That Missing Feeling

Helping children balance that missing feeling after their parents' divorce.

Mia’s life feels split in two after her parents get divorced—even her cat and dog now live in two separate places. When she’s at her dad’s house, Mia misses her mom’s jokes and singing. And when she’s at her mom’s house, she misses her dad’s laugh and cooking. Mia just can’t quite shake that missing feeling. Sometimes that missing feeling makes her angry. And sometimes it makes her sad.

One day when Mia visits her Grandpa, he gives her a little blue notebook saying, “When I write about Grandma, I am sad but I am happy too. She is gone, but you are here. Life changes, and writing helps me think about these changes. My notebook is a home for my heart.” Mia keeps her notebook wherever she goes, writing about happy and sad memories. And soon her notebook becomes a way to balance that missing feeling. And also a home for her heart.

Amy Ludwig VanDerwater has taught writing for over twenty years. Her children’s books have received accolades from the Junior Library Guild, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and the National Council of Teachers of English. Amy blogs for students and teachers at The Poem Farm and Sharing Our Notebooks.

She lives in Holland, NY. Visit her onlineopens in new window and at The Poet Farmopens in new window.

Morena Forza illustrates children’s books, educational books, magazines, apps, and digital media. She also teaches illustration and drawing.

She lives in Milan, Italy. Visit her onlineopens in new window, and on Facebookopens in new window, Twitter,opens in new window and Instagramopens in new window.

The most moving part of this book is the way Mia’s grandfather introduces her to the joys of keeping a notebook, breaking a stereotype that journaling is a feminine pursuit. While the story focuses on Mia’s parents’ divorce, the text and backmatter make it clear that journaling can help quell negative thoughts no matter the reason… A sweet beginner’s guide to keeping calm.
—Kirkus Reviews

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