All Summer Long

Reach for this book when your child feels like their long-term friendships are shifting or when they are struggling to find their own identity apart from their peers. It is the perfect choice for a tween who feels left behind as friends move on to new hobbies, or for a child who is just beginning to discover a deep, singular passion for the arts. This graphic novel follows thirteen-year-old Bina as she navigates a lonely summer while her best friend is away at camp. It beautifully captures the awkward, quiet transition between childhood play and adolescent self-discovery. As Bina turns to music to fill her time, she learns that being alone doesn't have to mean being lonely. The story normalizes the discomfort of growing at a different pace than your friends and celebrates the resilience found in creativity. It is a gentle, realistic look at middle school social dynamics that offers a hopeful path toward self-confidence.