Kristy + Bart

Reach for this book when your child is experiencing the bittersweet realization that a first crush or a close friendship is beginning to drift away. In this installment of the classic series, Kristy Thomas navigates her changing relationship with Bart Taylor while managing her responsibilities as a leader and a coach. The story focuses on the emotional complexity of growing up, balancing personal interests with group loyalty, and the healthy ways to say goodbye to a romantic interest when you realize you are better off as friends. It is a perfect choice for middle-grade readers who are starting to notice social shifts in their peer groups and need a model for handling breakup feelings with maturity and self-respect.