Blue Skies

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the uncertainty of a loved one's absence or the heavy weight of a loss that feels unfinished. Set against the backdrop of 1950s Texas, it follows ten year old Glory Hood as she waits for her brother to return from the Korean War, all while her family navigates life without their father. It is a poignant exploration of how children process hope and grief simultaneously. While the story deals with serious themes like military deployment and death, it is grounded in the warmth of a small town community and the resilience of sibling bonds. Parents will appreciate how the book validates a child's magical thinking and the rituals they create to cope with anxiety. It is a gentle, historical fiction choice for middle grade readers (ages 8 to 12) who are ready to discuss the complexities of family and the reality of life's 'blue sky' and 'stormy' days.