Cat Running

Reach for this book when your child is noticing social cliques, struggling with rigid rules at home, or asking why some people have so much less than others. Cat Kinsey is the fastest runner in her grade, but her father's strict insistence on 'ladylike' behavior and the arrival of a displaced 'Okie' family during the Great Depression force her to confront her own prejudices and the unfairness of her community. It is a powerful exploration of empathy, classism, and the courage it takes to stand up for someone when it is socially risky. This story is perfect for middle schoolers (ages 9 to 13) who are developing a sense of social justice and navigating their own family expectations. You might choose it to help bridge the gap between historical facts and the human reality of the Dust Bowl era.