My Cousin's Keeper

Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the social cost of kindness or feeling the heavy weight of peer pressure to fit in. It speaks directly to the 'middle school' dilemma of wanting to be a good person while desperately fearing being the target of a joke. The story follows Kieran, whose social standing is threatened when his eccentric cousin Bon becomes the new school outcast. This realistic novel explores the subtle, often painful dynamics of school hierarchies and the courage required to stand up for family when it is social suicide to do so. It is an ideal choice for 9 to 12 year olds navigating complex friendships, as it provides a mirror for those feelings of shame and the eventual relief that comes with integrity. Parents will appreciate the nuanced approach to bullying that focuses on the bystander's internal struggle rather than just the actions of the bully.