A Summer to Stay

Reach for this book when your child is facing a sudden, unsettling change in family dynamics or is struggling to process a parent's serious health diagnosis. Sam is unexpectedly sent to live with a grandmother she barely knows on a secluded island while her mother undergoes medical treatment. This gentle story navigates the complex feelings of being kept in the dark and the frustration of having one's life uprooted without consent. It is a deeply empathetic choice for children aged 8 to 12 who are dealing with feelings of isolation or the heavy weight of family secrets. Through Sam's eyes, readers see that even when life feels broken, new connections and resilient spirits can create a different kind of beautiful home.