Catch You Later, Traitor

Reach for this book when your child starts questioning the absolute authority of adults or begins to realize that their parents had lives and secrets long before they were born. Set against the paranoid backdrop of the 1950s Red Scare, the story follows twelve year old Pete as he navigates the sudden, terrifying interest of the FBI in his family. It is a masterful exploration of the tension between national loyalty and family devotion, perfect for middle schoolers beginning to develop their own moral compass. While the historical setting provides a rich mystery, the emotional core is about the fragility of trust. As Pete investigates his father's past, he grapples with feelings of shame, confusion, and the courage required to stand by someone when the world demands you turn away. It is an excellent bridge for discussing honesty, political nuance, and the weight of social stigma with children aged 10 to 14.