House of the Red Fish

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the heavy realization that the world is not always fair, particularly regarding systemic injustice or the absence of a loved one. Set in 1943 Hawaii, it follows Tomi, a Japanese-American boy whose father and grandfather are imprisoned in internment camps following the Pearl Harbor attack. To reclaim his family's honor, Tomi and his loyal friends embark on a grueling, engineering-focused mission to salvage his father's sunken fishing boat. It is a powerful exploration of grit and loyalty for readers aged 10 to 14. You might choose this to help a child process feelings of powerlessness or to discuss how community and hard work can provide a sense of agency during times of societal upheaval.