Armstrong & Charlie

Reach for this book when your child is asking complex questions about fairness, racial history, or the courage it takes to be the first person to bridge a social divide. Set in 1970s Los Angeles, this dual-perspective story follows Armstrong, who is Black, and Charlie, who is white, as they navigate the integration of their junior high school. It is an ideal pick for middle schoolers who are beginning to notice social cliques or systemic injustices in their own lives. While the historical context of busing provides the framework, the heart of the book is a deeply relatable school story. It balances heavy themes like grief and prejudice with authentic humor and the awkwardness of being twelve. Parents will appreciate how it models the messy, often uncomfortable process of building a genuine friendship across cultural and racial lines, making it a powerful tool for developing empathy and social awareness.