Triggers with experiencing violence event are explored in The Golden Hour. This is a sweet look at the difficulties one boy faces with anxiety, depression, and his PTSD after witnessing gun violence involving a teacher at school. Through therapy, grounding techniques and new friends Manuel starts healing.
I know it seems odd that it is sweet, but Niki Smith tastefully shows you the journey Manuel takes. Smith brings in elements of Manuel coming from a single parent home. They show you a bit of his heritage, introduces how different worlds (the town kid and the farm kid) can be friends, and even more. The other characters are not completely fleshed out, but the three classmates come alive. The illustrations are basic, but not simplistic. Smith is letting you watch a young character comes to terms with his anxiety after the events he faced.
The way Manuel deals with his attacks of anxiety is very modern. He uses an old cell phone to take photographs to help ground him. He also sees a therapist. The fact he is also able to open-up to his new friends, has an outlet with helping them with there (basically) 4-H projects, as well as entering his own photographs, is modern with a classic old school feel (I do not know about you but even in farmland like I have around me, 4-H like groups are not that popular or well known). The story is a slow build, but realistic and keeps you reading.
Best ages for reading would be ages 10 and up. However, since you do see the situation of gun violence that started Manuel’s story (even if you are starting several weeks/months later in the timeline) and the fact there is a hint of a same-sex romantic interest going on between Manuel and his friend, not all younger readers, or sensitive readers, will be okay with it. Having read this in a reader copy, I am not sure how this scene plays out in the final detail and colors, but with the other illustrations as example, it will be handled well.
Niki Smith is also the author of The Deep & Dark Blue that also fits the 10 and up age range, but can be for the “up” part of that.
