Caleb and Kit

As Caleb walks through the woods near his house, he sees what looks like an angel sitting atop a boulder with the sun shining down on her through the trees. This new friend, Kit, gives Caleb all he’s ever hoped for—the freedom and fun of being a normal kid without the categorization and constant reality of his cystic fibrosis looming over him. The fun comes at a price, as Caleb lies and skips summer camp to play with Kit. It isn’t until Caleb learns that Kit’s mother is neglecting her that he realizes their fairytale summer must come to an end. Caleb confides in his mother about Kit’s secret, who demonstrates that parents can help sort through serious situations. This informative, moving book gives a detailed example of what it’s like to live with cystic fibrosis and creates a genuine tone to this emotional tale (best for older middle-grade readers) about a boy who reminds us that fighting an illness takes courage, particularly when there’s no magic Captain America serum to be had. Kit teaches Caleb a repeated mantra throughout the story, “I can do what I want,” which, with his lying, leads to a touch of rebellion plaguing the story. However, the end of the book leaves us with a lesson on the value of honesty and the magic of friendship.