Dower

On the cusp of summer, eleven-year-old Cassidy Aoki prepares to visit the grandparents she hasn't seen in six years-grandparents divided by culture, race, and silence. Her grandfather still struggles to accept that his Japanese son married a Black woman, and that Cassidy, their mixed granddaughter, exists. But in the quiet beauty of her grandparents' garden, Cassidy discovers something extraordinary: she can speak to the flowers-and to Kenji, the family dog. It is there, in the soil, that she discovers the bloom of a magical creature named Dower-part flower, part dog, and wholly a reflection of Cassidy's own identity. As Cassidy learns to navigate the complexities of love, heritage, and belonging, she finds herself at the center of a battle to save the garden from a corporate takeover led by the villainous Mrs. Pain.

Back home, her classmates wrestle with their own stories of difference and acceptance, sparked by a classroom confrontation that challenges them to redefine what it means to be inclusive. When all paths converge, Cassidy and her community must choose: division or unity, fear or love.

Dower is a magical tale of transformation, rooted in the power of nature, spirit, and resilience in the face of adversity. The first in a three-part series, this novel invites readers of all ages to explore the wonder of diversity, the strength of family, and the light that connects us all.