The Reunion

A parent might reach for this book when their child is wrestling with intense feelings of divided loyalty or the reappearance of a long-absent parent. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the complicated emotions that arise when someone we love is changed by their experiences or when we must balance our commitment to our family with our responsibilities to our friends and community. Through Marco's eyes, children explore the heavy burden of keeping secrets and the fear that their personal needs might let others down. While framed as a fast-paced science fiction adventure involving shapeshifting and aliens, the heart of the story is deeply human. It tackles the sophisticated concept of moral ambiguity: what do you do when the right choice for the world is the most painful choice for you personally? This book is ideal for middle-schoolers who are starting to see the world in shades of gray rather than just black and white. It provides a safe, fantastical space to discuss the very real anxiety of parental loss and the courage required to face the truth.