Flying the Dragon

Reach for this book when your child is struggling with family changes, feeling 'second best' compared to a sibling or cousin, or navigating the complexities of a bicultural identity. It is a powerful tool for families managing the arrival of a relative or a grandparent's illness, providing a mirrors-and-windows approach to empathy and shared heritage. Natalie Dias Lorenzi weaves a dual perspective story about Hiroshi, who moves from Japan to the United States, and his cousin Skye, who feels her American life is being disrupted by her grandfather's cancer diagnosis and Hiroshi's arrival. This gentle, realistic novel is perfect for children ages 8 to 12. It offers a roadmap for how shared traditions, like the Japanese art of kite making, can mend fractured relationships and build bridges across language barriers and resentment. Parents will appreciate how it validates the difficult emotions of jealousy and grief while modeling a path toward reconciliation and cultural pride.