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“Expertly written with the sensitivity and poignancy necessary to convey deep grief and hurt feelings, this debut is going to break and mend hearts of families dealing with any number of hardships.”

—Booklist, Starred Review

“Sensitively wrought prose considers anger, grief, and their impact on perceptions and mental health. It’s an insightful portrayal of healing.”

—Publishers Weekly

Phoebe Ogawa and the Art of Not Caring

Written by Sara Truuvert
Published by Annick Press

12-year-old Phoebe Ogawa wants everyone at school to know that she does not care what they think. She definitely does not care about the fact that they’re still laughing about her heartfelt performance at last year’s talent show. Most of all, though, she tries to prove to everyone that she isn’t struggling as much as she actually is with her Grandma Yumi’s passing. To her surprise, her family discovers that Yumi, a world-renowned pop star, left Phoebe a mysterious note that hints at her last song, which has been seemingly lost for decades. Phoebe decides to find it and secretly pass it off as her own to finally show everyone that she is not someone to be laughed at. But as she starts delving deeper into Grandma Yumi’s past, Phoebe starts to realize that maybe everyone feels vulnerable from time to time, and that some people might be worth letting in and showing your true, even embarrassingly heartfelt self.

Incredibly poignant and relatable, Sara Truuvert’s debut middle grade novel explores the ever-relevant themes of the dissonance between our public and private personas, and the courage and vulnerability it takes to allow others to see what happens when the two connect. Alongside journal entries and letters from the characters, readers will also view glimpses of the behind-the-scenes of songwriting.

Primary ISBN:
Publication Date: October 2026
Available As: Paperback, eBook
Middle Grade, Age 08 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: Canada (Toronto)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 2nd Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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