Blue Heron

Reach for this book when your preteen is feeling like an outsider within their own family, particularly following a divorce or the arrival of a new sibling. Maggie is almost thirteen and spending a tense summer with her father, his young wife, and their new baby. She finds solace in the quiet observation of a Great Blue Heron, but she soon discovers that the bird is in danger from a mysterious hunter. Through the lens of this environmental mystery, the story explores the heavy weight of family secrets and the complexity of parents who are deeply flawed. It is an emotionally resonant choice for children navigating the 'middle' years where they begin to see their parents as complicated, sometimes unreliable adults. The tone is contemplative and slightly melancholic, perfect for the reflective reader.