Faith, Hope, and Ivy June

Reach for this book when your middle-schooler is beginning to notice social divides or feeling self-conscious about their own family's lifestyle compared to their peers. It is a thoughtful exploration of how economic status and regional culture can create perceived barriers between people who actually share deep emotional commonalities. Through an exchange program between two girls from very different parts of Kentucky, the story highlights the importance of empathy and looking beyond the surface of someone's home or possessions. While the book touches on the anxieties of rural poverty and the dangers of the coal mining industry, it remains a gentle and grounded realistic fiction suitable for ages 9 to 13. Parents will appreciate the nuanced portrayal of family loyalty and the way the girls use journaling to process their complex feelings. It serves as an excellent tool for normalizing the experience of feeling different while providing a hopeful blueprint for building meaningful cross-cultural friendships.