“When someone walks on, where do they go?” The loss of a biracial (Mexican and Seminole) child’s grandmother evokes poignant imaginings about what happens after death. Could their loved one be found engaged in her usual activities, like “thumping melons” at the market, or fishing with a bucket of minnows? The child longs to tell their grandmother stories about their day and hopes that when she completes her journey, she’ll “turn around and come home.” Memories and reminders of her are everywhere: “hair in the brush, starlight mints by the bed, shoes on the floor.” The fragrances of eucalyptus tea and grape dumplings bring her cooking to mind. Toward the end of the book, the particularities of this child’s grief give way to universal, comforting reassurances that loved ones who “walk on” remain with us in our hearts and memories and continue to guide us. There’s a feeling of gentle solidarity and community in the closing line. “In the end, we all walk on… together.” The Author’s Note provides more information about the Native expression “walk on,” which can signify a “continuance of spirit” regardless of one’s belief in an afterlife. Highly Commended, 2026 Charlotte Zolotow Award

A boy says farewell to a loved one as he imagines her walking on into her next journey, a moving and superbly illustrated story about loss and hope by Fry Bread author Kevin Noble Maillard and illustrated by acclaimed, award-winning artist Rafael López.

When a young boy’s grandmother walks on, he wonders where she’s gone.

Did she go to the market to buy ripe melons? Or maybe she’s in the garden, watering her herbs?

It feels like she’s somewhere far away, so the boy finds new ways to share stories about his day, hoping she can hear him.

Even her house feels like it’s waiting for her return. Then as the boy approaches the kitchen, the scent and memories of her cooking assure him that no matter where she is, her love will always be close by.

Because when someone walks on, they stay with us. They grow in our hearts and guide us as we walk in their footsteps.

Award-winning author of Fry Bread, Kevin Noble Maillard, breathes life and love into this intimate picture book about loss, with illustrations from renowned, best-selling artist, Rafael López.