Homesick: My Own Story

Reach for this book when your child feels caught between two worlds, whether due to a move, a multicultural background, or simply feeling like an outsider in their own community. This memoir explores the heart-tugging reality of loving a place that does not always love you back. Jean Fritz captures her childhood in 1920s China with vivid honesty, detailing the tension of being an American girl who has never seen America. As the Chinese Civil War looms, Jean navigates school bullies, cultural misunderstandings, and the deep ache of homesickness for a 'home' she only knows through stories. It is a masterful exploration of identity and belonging that is perfectly suited for middle-grade readers. Parents will appreciate how it humanizes history while providing a gentle roadmap for processing big transitions and the complex meaning of home.