Lost kites and other treasures

Gr 3--7--Twelve-year-old Franny Petroski lives with Nana in an apartment in New Jersey and enjoys creating art and spending time with her friends. But when Nana falls and breaks her leg, Franny's life drastically changes. Her estranged Uncle Gabe comes to help, and she starts to learn more about herself, family, and mother's mental illness and incarceration. She learns that by sharing her feelings and fears, she can find ways to deal with the pain of loss and strengthen family bonds. Franny finds power in art and talking about her past as she forges new relationships with Nana and her uncle. She also learns that being true to herself and her past may mean changes in friendships. Carr's first-person narrative features a well-developed character in Franny; readers will root for her from the beginning. Franny displays the complex emotions of a preteen dealing with complex issues. Carr's thoughtful and nuanced representation of a family dealing with bipolar disorder and incarceration gives voice to readers who have similar issues. VERDICT At times this book seems to have too many things going on, but the approach to mental health and family trauma makes it an important addition to any shelf.--Rebekah J. Buchanan

Writing down her concerns and creating art with found objects are things that help calm Franny--and lately, she has big worries. Years ago, Franny Petroski's mom, Mia, left her to be cared for by her maternal grandmother. But now Nana has broken her leg and can't get around without assistance. Twelve-year-old Franny could use some help--or even emotional support--from her best friends, but Lucy Bernal's family is moving back to London, and Ruben Yao is busy befriending school loudmouth Tate. Enter Uncle Gabe, Mia's estranged brother, who moves in for a few weeks to help. While he's there, he starts telling Franny about Mia and raises the subject of her mom's mental health, an issue Franny hadn't heard much about before. This sparks some discomfort, a disagreement with Ruben, and difficult conversations with family members. Carr sensitively explores mental illness, incarceration, and families in crisis, and she portrays her characters as flawed but caring. As Franny works through it all, she discovers that she no longer needs to list her worries. The creative process of working on a lost, damaged kite she finds--covering it with pieces of fabric that represent family and friends--helps her express and resolve her complicated feelings. It's a rocky ride, but everyone, especially Franny, emerges stronger and with their spirits lifted. Franny and her family are white; Ruben is Filipino American. Unusual and gratifying. (Why You Should Be an Artist) (Fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.