My Brother Has AIDS

Reach for this book when your child is facing the terminal illness of a loved one or struggling with the social weight of a stigmatized diagnosis. While the specific medical context reflects the 1990s, the emotional core is timeless: thirteen year old Lacy must balance her personal goals as a competitive swimmer with the heavy reality of her older brother returning home to die. It is a sensitive exploration of how grief disrupts a family's rhythm and how secrets can isolate a young person from their peers. Parents will appreciate the book for its honest depiction of Lacy's internal conflict. She loves her brother, but she also feels resentment and shame about how his illness affects her social standing and her sport. This story provides a safe space for middle schoolers to process complex feelings like guilt and fear, offering a realistic look at a family trying to maintain normalcy in the face of impending loss. It is best suited for ages 10 to 14, providing a foundation for deep conversations about empathy and resilience.