In Search of a Homeland

Reach for this book when your child is facing a major transition, such as a move to a new city or a change in family structure, and needs to see that starting over is an act of bravery. Penelope Lively retells the classic epic of the Aeneid, following Aeneas as he flees the ruins of Troy to find a new home for his people. It is a story about the heavy weight of the past and the courage required to build a future. While the setting is ancient and mythological, the emotional core focuses on resilience, the pain of leaving things behind, and the persistence needed to belong somewhere new. It is an ideal bridge for children ages 9 to 14 who are ready for more complex themes of destiny and duty wrapped in high adventure.