The Baboon King

Reach for this book when your child feels like they do not fit into any one group or is struggling with an 'in-between' identity. It is a powerful choice for a middle schooler who feels isolated by their differences and needs to see that survival and self-respect are possible even in total solitude. The story follows Morengaru, a young man of mixed Kikuyu and Masai heritage who is rejected by both cultures and eventually cast out into the wild. By joining a troop of baboons, he learns the raw mechanics of leadership, social hierarchy, and empathy. Parents will appreciate the book for its sophisticated exploration of belonging and its realistic, unsentimental look at nature and tribal life. It is best suited for ages 11 to 15 due to its mature themes of exile and the physical realities of survival.