The Girl with More Than One Heart

In this tenderhearted tale, Bass (Sign of the Qin) conveys the complex, conflicting emotions that arise in a family facing the unexpected death of a parent. When Manhattan eighth grader Briana finds her father slumped over on his exercise bike, she feels a “second heart” form in her stomach. This heart communicates cryptic messages in her father’s voice (“Find her, said my Dad heart”) and sparks memories of life “Before Aaron,” her special-needs younger brother: “Aaron and I had two parents, but really we each had one.... Dad was mine.” Her mother’s grief-induced slide into depression forces Briana to assume responsibility for Aaron and cope with heartache, resentment, and fear, all while navigating the treacherous social dynamics of middle school. The narrative moves seamlessly between past and present and incorporates Greek myths, Briana’s “fractured fairy tales,” and Grandpa Ben’s tall tales, highlighting the power of storytelling to foster healing and strengthen relationships. Briana notes a parallel process between creativity and new friendship: “We were making it all up right there as we went along.” It’s an emotionally nuanced exploration of grief and resilience. Ages 8–12. Agent: Lucy Carson, Friedrich Agency. (Apr.)