Everywhere Blue

Reach for this book when your child is feeling overwhelmed by the weight of global issues like climate change, or if they are navigating the confusing, quiet grief of a sibling leaving home. It provides a gentle space for children who feel things deeply and need to know that their 'big' worries are valid and shared by others. The story follows Maddie, a young oboist whose world is fractured when her older brother Strum vanishes from his college campus. As Maddie searches for clues, she discovers Strum's secret struggles with environmental despair. Written in beautiful, accessible free verse, the novel explores family dynamics, the healing power of music, and how to find hope when the world feels broken. It is a sophisticated but safe choice for middle grade readers (ages 8 to 12) who are ready to engage with real-world anxieties through a lens of love and resilience.