Synopses & Reviews
Ten-year-old Trina has a lot to worry about. She has siblings that often get into trouble; her mother is severely overworked, caring for them and keeping a job; and her father is an alcoholic. Trina also suspects something was wrong with her brain. Somewhere, the wires got twisted; she is afraid and worried all the time, especially for the people she loves. In order to help herself, Trina decides to invent the Thing-a way to make the worry go away. There would be no buttons or switches. She would simply open up her magical box and think about whoever she was worrying about, and the box would show her that everything was all right. But one night, everything is not all right. While looking in the Thing, Trina sees her older sister die in a car crash.Now Trina must keep her family from falling apart, with the help of the Thing. She must find the strength to overcome her fear and worry in order to save her family-to help them survive the tragedy. Trina is their only hope, along with the Thing. It will teach her about worry, but it will also show her how to beat fear through laughter, love, and forgiveness.
Synopsis
In an effort to address her obsession with worrying about people, ten-year-old Trina decides to invent an object she calls the Thing. Whenever Trina starts becoming overly concerned about someone, she opens the top of her magical box, peeks inside, and hopes that everything she sees will make her feel all right.
But one night, everything is not all right. While looking in the Thing, Trina sees her older sister involved in a deadly car crash. Suddenly, Trina is left trying to make sense of events that are difficult for her to understand: her sister's death, her alcoholic father, her overworked mother, and her relationship with a God that would let bad things happen to good people. The tragedy that befalls her family teaches Trina how to survive disappointment and loss with humor, love, and a belief in second chances.