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The Power of S.A.D.
Genres: Young Adult (YA)
Age Groups: 12-15
Formats: Ebook, Paperback
How can Akna and her two sisters help Mama get well and save her family if they are in foster care? Rule 1: Don’t get comfortable there.
With the help of her ancestors, Akna Sales has used her powers of S.A.D.—Strength And Determination—to keep her family together since her beloved grandparents died two years ago. The day the social worker takes Akna and her two sisters to a foster home, all her plans for helping Mama get well and saving her family are upended. It seems that calling on her ancestors to enhance those powers is not working any more.
Although every foster kid living with the Bohns at Mariposa Lane has problems, they’ve somehow created a resilient, loving family life Akna never could have imagined. But the more secure her situation becomes, the more she fears her real family will be lost.
Despite her resistance, Akna discovers how to weave the complex legacy of her past into opportunities for a promising future. With the help of a caring teacher, a new friend at school, Akna’s own determination, and the love of her foster family, she learns how to once again welcome the goodness in life, even when some things will always feel broken.
For Teachers:
For SEL discussions, this book is perfect for discussions of friendships, identity, grief, taking risks, overcoming challenges, honesty, and resiliency.
Reviews
Reader's Favorite
“Maggie Lynch’s The Power of S.A.D. is a poignant and powerful exploration of family, resilience, and self-discovery, woven into the fabric of an engaging Upper Middle Grade/YA novel…
What makes The Power of S.A.D. stand out is its deeply resonant portrayal of resilience in the face of adversity. Maggie Lynch masterfully captures Akna’s internal struggles and the burden of responsibility she shoulders at such a young age. The depiction of Akna’s attempts to maintain normalcy for her sisters, her clandestine efforts to find her absent mother and her evolving relationship with her foster family are rendered with sensitivity and authenticity. The exploration of cultural heritage, represented through Akna’s connection to her Mayan ancestry, adds a rich layer of depth, offering readers not just a story of survival but a journey toward understanding and embracing one’s identity. Akna’s evolving relationship with her foster family, who despite their own struggles, provide an unexpected sense of belonging and love, adds a touching dimension to her journey. This blend of personal growth and cultural reverence, combined with the engaging dynamics of foster care life, ensures that The Power of S.A.D. will resonate deeply with readers. It offers both solace and inspiration, as Akna’s compelling narrative demonstrates the power of strength and determination in overcoming life’s challenges.” Demetria Head