A Year Without Rain

Reach for this book when your child is facing a season of scarcity or waiting, or when they are struggling to understand how a family stays strong during a crisis beyond their control. Set in the 1880s during a devastating Dakota Territory drought, the story follows young Rachel as she watches her father leave to find work while she and her brother try to save the family farm. It is a poignant look at resilience, the weight of responsibility, and the quiet courage required to maintain hope when the literal and metaphorical rain wont come. Ideal for ages 8 to 12, it provides a safe space to discuss financial hardship and the power of perseverance within a historical context. Parents will appreciate the way it models emotional maturity and sibling bonds during a difficult transition.