Cicadas Sing of Summer Graves

Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the quiet, suffocating weight of grief or feeling disconnected from their family history. It is an ideal choice for the child who feels like an outsider in their own skin, seeking a way to articulate the messy overlap between love, loss, and the secrets we keep to protect one another. The story follows a young woman returning to her Southern hometown, where the literal and metaphorical ghosts of the past are as loud as the summer cicadas. Connor weaves a lyrical, atmospheric tale that explores the complexities of sibling bonds and the way trauma can haunt a community. While it contains elements of the supernatural, the emotional core is deeply grounded in the realistic struggle of moving forward when the past feels unfinished. It is appropriate for mature teens who appreciate a slow-burn mystery and are ready to discuss heavy themes like death and family dysfunction in a way that feels validating rather than prescriptive.