by Mavis Jukes
First published 1987
Alex watches his stepfather Jake with admiration and worry. Jake seems so confident and strong, a real cowboy who knows how to handle anything. Alex feels small and uncertain next to him, wondering if he'll ever measure up. The boy wants desperately to find some way to connect with this man who married his mother, but their worlds feel so different. Then one day, Alex spots something that makes Jake jump back in alarm. A wolf spider sits on Jake's shirt, and suddenly the tough cowboy needs help. Alex steps forward to brush the spider away, becoming the rescuer instead of the one who needs rescuing. In that moment, something shifts between them. The spider becomes a bridge, showing both stepfather and stepson that courage comes in different forms. Their new family finds its footing through this small act of bravery, creating space for understanding and genuine affection to grow.
Genres: fiction, family, contemporary, young-adult, relationships, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, unlikely-friendship
32 pages · Paperback · Dragonfly Books