Ida B: ...and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World

Reach for this book when your child is reacting to a family crisis or major change with a hardened heart, social withdrawal, or a deep sense of injustice. Ida B is a fiercely independent home schooled girl whose world is upended when her mother is diagnosed with breast cancer, forcing her back into public school and leading her to 'lock her heart' against the world. It is a poignant, beautifully written exploration of grief, the loss of childhood innocence, and the difficult journey toward forgiveness. While it touches on heavy themes, it remains deeply rooted in the magic of nature and the resilience of a child's spirit. It is ideal for ages 8 to 12 as a tool to validate the complex anger and sadness that often accompany family illness.