This was lovely and has some insights that I think will really resonate with readers who encounter those insights here, first--like just thoughts about the nature of decisions and their consequences and how those play out--"I realized that sometimes people did what they could, not what they should, and I didn't think that was reason enough to be mad."

I think it is a kind of idealized version of modern-day small town life, but it works nicely for this story about family and grief and forgiveness. It's very sweet.

This one I think maybe is a good readalike for [b:Bridge to Terabithia|2839|Bridge to Terabithia|Katherine Paterson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327880087s/2839.jpg|2237401]--it's a dead mom, not a dead friend, but I think the realistic exploration of a grieving kid through their art is similar. Also the small town feel gives it the same kind of retro vibe that Bridge to Terabithia has.