My Brother's Keeper

A parent would reach for this book when they suspect their child is carrying the weight of a family secret or struggling with the fallout of a sibling's substance abuse. It speaks directly to the 'quiet' child who tries to keep the peace while their world feels like it is fracturing. The story follows Toby, a middle schooler who is a talented baseball player, as he navigates his father's departure and his older brother's descent into drug use and alcohol. Through Toby's eyes, the book explores themes of codependency, misplaced loyalty, and the crushing shame that often accompanies addiction in the home. It is a realistic and poignant look at the moment a child realizes they cannot 'fix' their family members. This is an essential choice for adolescents who feel invisible in the shadow of a relative's crisis, offering them permission to seek help for themselves. It is best suited for ages 12 to 16 due to its honest depiction of substance use and emotional neglect.