A Slip of a Girl

Reach for this book when your child is processing a major transition, such as a family move or financial hardship, and needs to see a model of quiet strength and adaptability. This verse novel follows Anna, a young girl in mid-1800s Ireland, as she navigates the loss of her mother, the threat of eviction, and an eventual journey to America. It is a story about the endurance of the human spirit and the way family bonds provide a sense of home even when physical walls are lost. Appropriate for ages 8 to 12, the book handles heavy themes like poverty and grief with a lyrical, gentle touch. Parents will appreciate how Patricia Reilly Giff uses historical fiction to normalize feelings of displacement and fear, ultimately offering a hopeful message about finding one's voice. It serves as an excellent bridge for discussing family history, resilience, and the immigrant experience in a way that feels personal rather than academic.