by Ani DiFranco
First published 2023
A young child begins to understand the difference between how others see them and who they truly are inside. Through everyday moments and quiet reflection, the protagonist discovers that while people notice outer appearances and labels, something deeper and more important lives within. The child learns about their own inner strength and how it connects to everyone around them. Set against scenes of childhood in India, the story follows this journey of self-discovery as the young person realizes that their true identity goes beyond what others can see. The child must navigate between fitting into the world's expectations and honoring their authentic self. At its heart, this is a story about finding your inner light and understanding how individual power works together with caring for others.
Genres: fiction, family-life, contemporary
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, found-family
Setting: India
Period: 21st-century
32 pages · Hardcover · Rise x Penguin Workshop