Bluffton

Reach for this book when your child feels stuck in the quiet rhythm of everyday life or wonders if they have a special spark within them. It is a gentle, beautifully illustrated bridge for kids who are beginning to compare their own talents to others and need to see that 'extraordinary' is often the result of practice, friendship, and perspective. Set in 1908, the story follows Henry, a boy in a sleepy Michigan town, whose world expands when a troupe of vaudeville performers moves in for the summer. Through his friendship with a young, pre-fame Buster Keaton, Henry explores themes of creative envy, the discipline behind humor, and the bittersweet nature of seasonal friendships. It is an ideal pick for middle-grade readers who appreciate visual storytelling and historical settings that feel alive rather than dusty.