Car-Jacked

Reach for this book when you have a child who is intellectually gifted or neurodivergent but struggles with independence and self confidence due to an overprotective environment. Jack is a child prodigy whose life is strictly managed by his high pressure mother, but everything changes when he is accidentally kidnapped during a carjacking. While the premise is high stakes, the heart of the story is Jack discovering that he is capable of more than just academic feats. It is an excellent choice for middle grade readers who feel different from their peers or stifled by adult expectations. The book handles the kidnapping with a focus on problem solving and the surprising bond between the boy and his kidnapper, making it a thrilling yet emotionally resonant read about finding one's own voice.