HOW TO TALK TO YOUR SUCCULENT

Eleven-year-old Adara and her dad are moving from California to the cold and flat lands of Michigan... and it sucks. After Mom''s recent passing, it seems way too soon. Talking to Dad has always been harder than with Mom, but now it''s like walking on eggshells. And why did Dad bring so many of Mom''s houseplants across the country? Her mother might have been called the ''plant whisperer'' back home, but Adara is beginning to wonder if there is something more to it. But when she meets a little succulent named Perle, she unlocks the same magical ability her mother had: talking to plants! But taking care of Perle isn''t as easy as it seems - the environment isn''t suited for her, and Adara doesn''t know how to meet her needs. Kind of like the situation Adara herself is in. If only Perle could ask Adara for help... and Adara could ask her dad. With a touch of magic, this debut middle-grade graphic novel explores loneliness, mental health and empathy, and shows how communication, openness and a willingness to listen can help young people - and older people - and plants! - navigate their mental well-being and heal from loss, individually and together.