First Came the Owl

Nita can't believe it! She's just won the role of Snow White in her fifth-grade class play. If only Nita's mother, Ma-jah, could be there to see her perform. But ever since Ma-jah returned from visiting relatives in Thailand, she's been suffering from depression. And now she's in the hospital. Nita feels lonely without Ma-jah around to talk to. As soon as shy Nita steps onstage to rehearse for the play, everything seems better. Using her powerful imagination, Nita forgets her own problems and pretends to be someone else for a few magical moments. And at home, Nita's busy working on a school report on Thailand. As she learns about her Thai heritage, she understands more about her mother, and about herself as well.