Crik

Reach for this book when your child feels like their internal struggles or 'darker' moods are something to be ashamed of rather than understood. Crik follows young Jack, a boy living in a village of magically gifted people, whose own unique talent is a living shadow that he fears and misunderstands. As Jack uncovers a dark secret within his community, he is forced to confront the part of himself he has spent his life trying to suppress. This atmospheric adventure blends elements of eerie fantasy with a deep exploration of identity and self-acceptance. It is an ideal choice for middle-schoolers who enjoy a bit of a chill with their hero's journey. By framing the protagonist's greatest enemy as a literal part of his own being, the story provides a powerful metaphor for the transition into adolescence, helping children see that their complex emotions are not flaws, but sources of untapped strength.