Love Me Tender

Reach for this book when your middle-schooler is feeling particularly 'done' with their family or seems embarrassed by your quirks. It is a perfect choice for a child navigating the prickly transition into adolescence while dealing with the stress of a changing household dynamic. The story follows thirteen-year-old Elvira as she navigates a summer road trip with her Elvis-imitating father and her sharp-tongued, pregnant mother. As Elvira struggles with her own sense of identity and the looming arrival of a new sibling, she begins to see her parents as flawed, complex individuals rather than just embarrassing obstacles. It is a humorous yet poignant look at the messy reality of family love, making it an excellent bridge for parents and pre-teens to talk about mutual respect, the validity of 'cringe' feelings, and how families stick together despite their differences.