Every Time You Go Away

Reach for this book when your child is feeling the sting of an unfair situation or struggling to find their place in a group. It is a masterful story for children who feel like the world is stacked against them due to circumstances beyond their control. The story follows Stanley Yelnats, a boy sent to a desert labor camp for a crime he did not commit, where he must dig holes every day under a blazing sun. Beyond the mystery of the camp, the book explores how the past shapes our present and how true friendship can bloom in the harshest conditions. While it touches on heavy themes like systemic injustice and historical racism, it maintains a dry wit and a sense of magical realism that makes it accessible. It is ideal for ages 10 to 14, providing a roadmap for developing resilience, integrity, and the courage to break a cycle of bad luck.