Explores death and the afterlife from lighthearted philosophical, theological, and psychological perspectives that consider that death may not be such a pessimism-inducing state.

"It's Karen's birthday! She can't wait for all those presents. Karen is even going to have two parties--one at Daddy's house and one at Mommy's. But what Karen really wants for her birthday is one big party and to celebrate the special day with her whole family together. Will Karen's birthday wish come true?"--Provided by publisher.

"Follows twelve-year-old Dasha through a year full of turmoil after her mother leaves for America. It is the early 1990s in Moscow, and political change is in the air. But Dasha is more worried about her own challenges as she negotiates family, friendships and school without her mother. Just as she begins to find her own feet, she gets word that she is to join her mother in America -- a place that seems impossibly far from everything and everyone...