Faced with a diagnosis of the rare Stargardt Disease, Mafalda struggles with not only losing her vision, but with her relationships with her parents, friends, classmates, and even her cat. This novel, written by an author with Stargardt Disease, highlights how a child copes with a disease that can take away her independence, relationships, and sense of self. While quite innocent and distraught over her condition, Mafalda makes meaningful connections in a heartbreaking and bittersweet story that will inspire readers to be resilient no matter the circumstances.

2020 Batchelder Honor.

Author lives in Italy.

Italy. Originally published in Italian as La distanza tra me e il ciliegio by Rizzoli in 2018. English translation by Denise Muir published in the United States by Atheneum Books for Young Readers in 2019.