Antigone

A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is wrestling with a profound sense of injustice or facing a difficult choice between obeying authority and following their own moral compass. This ancient Greek tragedy follows Antigone as she defies a royal edict to give her brother a proper burial, an act that pits her against the state and her own family. Through this intense drama, Sophocles explores themes of civil disobedience, the weight of family loyalty, and the devastating consequences of pride. It is a sophisticated read for older teens that provides a safe container to discuss high stakes ethics, the complexity of grief, and what it means to stand up for one's integrity when the world demands silence.