The Longest Ride

Reach for this book when your child is starting to ask complex questions about the meaning of freedom, the history of the American West, or what it feels like to search for where you belong. Set in the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, the story follows Midnight, a fourteen-year-old runaway slave who becomes a cowboy. As he journeys across the frontier to find his family, he forms an unlikely and deep connection with two Arapaho Indians. This is a story of resilience and cross-cultural friendship that explores the nuances of independence and the universal longing for home. It is a powerful choice for parents wanting to introduce historical perspectives that are often overlooked in traditional westerns, providing a mature yet accessible look at identity and survival.