Lost in America

Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with feelings of displacement, the heavy weight of being a 'survivor' in any context, or the struggle to define themselves apart from a painful past. It is an essential choice for families discussing the complexities of the immigrant experience or the long-term emotional ripples of historical trauma. The story follows Nicole, a resourceful seventeen-year-old French Jewish refugee arriving in New York after the Holocaust. While she is safe, she faces the daunting task of navigating high school and living with relatives who mean well but cannot truly fathom her loss. The book explores themes of resilience and identity with a grounded, realistic lens, making it a profound read for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers who are ready to engage with the quiet, everyday courage required to build a new life from the ashes of the old.