Cold in Summer

Reach for this book when your child feels like an outsider after a big move or is struggling to find their footing in a new community. It is an ideal choice for the middle-grade reader who loves a mystery but needs a story that validates the lonely ache of being the 'new kid.' The story follows Ariadne, who has moved to a small town and feels invisible until she meets May, a girl who seems to be from another time. As Ariadne unravels the secret of her new friend, she discovers that the key to her own future lies in honoring the town's forgotten past. While the book features a ghost, it focuses more on the emotional weight of loneliness and the healing power of connection than on jump-scares. It is a gentle, atmospheric mystery for ages 8 to 12. Parents will appreciate how it models empathy and shows that even when we feel alone, there are often unseen threads connecting us to those who came before us. It is a perfect bridge for discussing how to build a sense of 'home' in an unfamiliar place.