Mama's Illness, a short prequel to Reinventing Hannah, tells the story of Hannah's attempt to understand and cope with her mother's hospitalization for mental health reasons when she was only six years old. After Mama goes to the hospital, Hannah's world is turned upside down, especially because Grandma insists on keeping her in the dark to protect her. Hannah is a bright, resilient child, but is that enough to allow her to cope with her mother's mysterious illness and the steps Grandma takes to make sure she is provided for?