Magic Fish, The

Reach for this book when you sense your teenager is holding back a part of themselves, or when the distance between your upbringing and theirs feels like a barrier to communication. It is a masterfully layered story about Tiến, a Vietnamese American boy, and his mother as they read fairy tales together to bridge their language gap while he searches for the right words to come out to her. It explores themes of belonging, the weight of the immigrant experience, and the universal need to be seen by those we love. While the story handles the complexity of queer identity, it is deeply rooted in family connection rather than conflict. It is perfect for middle and high schoolers who appreciate art and the power of storytelling. Parents will find this a gentle, affirming tool to signal that their home is a safe space for difficult conversations, even when the vocabulary is not yet perfect.