Dear Ellen Bee

Reach for this book when your child is asking how two people from completely different worlds can trust each other to do the right thing. It is a powerful choice for middle schoolers grappling with the complexities of allyship and the moral courage required to fight systemic injustice. Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, the story follows the real life partnership between Bet Van Lew, a white socialite, and Mary Jane Bowser, a formerly enslaved Black woman. Together, they form an unlikely and dangerous spy ring in the heart of the Confederacy. Beyond the historical adventure, the book explores the delicate development of mutual respect and shared risk. It is a sophisticated look at how shared values can bridge social divides, making it ideal for parents who want to move beyond surface level history into the messy, brave realities of human connection.