Li Lun, Lad of Courage

Reach for this book when your child feels like a failure because they do not fit the mold of what their peers or family expect. Li Lun, Lad of Courage is a poignant story about a young boy in a Chinese fishing village who is terrified of the sea. Instead of forcing him to conform to the village tradition of fishing, his father tasks him with a seemingly impossible solo mission: to grow rice on a barren mountain peak. This Newbery Honor book explores the quiet strength found in different types of bravery. It is ideal for children ages 8 to 12 who are navigating self-doubt or social pressure. You might choose this book to help a child understand that courage is not always about being the loudest or the strongest, but often about the persistent dedication to a personal goal despite isolation and ridicule.