Dust Girl

Reach for this book when your child is beginning to ask deep questions about their heritage, especially if they feel like an outsider in their own community or are processing family secrets. Set against the bleak, swirling sands of the 1935 Dust Bowl, this story follows Callie, a young girl who discovers her mother's disappearance is linked to a magical, otherworldly lineage she never knew she possessed. It is a powerful metaphor for the search for identity and the feeling of being caught between two worlds. While the setting is historically accurate and highlights the grim realities of the Great Depression, the infusion of American folklore and fairy mythology provides a magical lens through which to view resilience. Parents will appreciate how it tackles themes of biracial identity and belonging through a fantasy framework. It is most suitable for middle schoolers and young teens who enjoy atmospheric historical fiction with a supernatural twist, offering a sophisticated look at how our past shapes our future.