Jip: His Story

A parent might reach for this book when their child is grappling with profound questions about identity, adoption, or feeling like they don't belong. "Jip: His Story" is a historical novel set in 1850s Vermont about an orphan boy living on a poor farm with no knowledge of his past. The arrival of a mysterious stranger forces Jip to uncover the dangerous truth of his parentage, propelling him on a journey to understand who he is and claim his own future. The book thoughtfully explores themes of identity, resilience, found family, and social justice, including the harsh realities of slavery and the historical treatment of mental illness. For older middle-grade readers, it offers a powerful, emotionally resonant story that validates feelings of being different while providing a window into a critical period of American history.