Manatee Summer

Reach for this book when your child is facing a summer of big changes, whether it is a best friend moving away or a family member experiencing health challenges. This moving contemporary novel follows Peter and his best friend Tommy as they attempt to complete a 'Discovery List' of Florida wildlife before Tommy moves. It gently explores themes of environmental stewardship, the pain of saying goodbye, and the evolving nature of memory as Peter's grandfather begins to show signs of dementia. It is a perfect choice for middle-grade readers who are learning that loving someone, or something like the endangered manatees, often means finding the courage to let them go. The story provides a safe, empathetic space to process the bittersweet reality of growing up.