Dry

Reach for this book when your teen is grappling with climate anxiety or asking deep questions about how society functions when basic resources disappear. It is an ideal pick for a mature middle or high schooler who enjoys high stakes survival stories and wants to explore the moral complexities of leadership and community during a crisis. The story follows Alyssa and her brother as a catastrophic drought in California turns their suburban neighborhood into a desperate battleground for water. As they search for their missing parents, they encounter neighbors who have become strangers and must decide who to trust. Beyond the action, the book explores the thin veneer of civilization, the ethics of resource sharing, and the resilience of youth in the face of adult failure. It provides a safe but intense space to discuss disaster preparedness and the importance of empathy in an emergency.