Lyddie

Reach for this book when your child is feeling the weight of adult responsibilities or struggling with a sense of unfairness regarding their family's financial situation. Lyddie Worthen is a fiercely independent young woman who moves from a struggling Vermont farm to the industrial mills of Lowell, Massachusetts, to pay off her family's debts. It is a powerful exploration of grit, the cost of labor, and the complicated nature of family loyalty. While the setting is historical, the emotional core is timeless: what do we owe our families versus what do we owe ourselves? Lyddie is a stoic, hardworking protagonist who deals with systemic poverty and workplace harassment with remarkable resilience. Best suited for middle schoolers, this story provides a grounded perspective on social justice and the value of self-determination, offering a mirror for kids who feel they must grow up too fast.