Hope in the Valley

Reach for this book when your child is facing a major transition, such as starting middle school or moving, and seems to be clinging to the past. Pandita is a twelve-year-old girl struggling with the loss of her mother and the changing landscape of her Silicon Valley town. As she fights to save a historic mansion, she learns that honoring what we love does not mean refusing to grow. This is a gentle, realistic story that explores grief, friendship, and social justice through a South Asian American lens. It is a beautiful choice for helping children navigate the bittersweet reality of growing up while maintaining a connection to their roots.