No Place Like Home

Reach for this book when your child is struggling with a significant life transition, such as a move to a new city or a family separation that has left them feeling culturally or emotionally adrift. It is a perfect choice for the child who retreats into books to escape the loneliness of being 'the new kid' or the pain of missing a loved one who is far away. The story follows Lan, a young girl who has recently moved from Viet Nam to Toronto with her father, leaving her mother and brother behind. Her sense of displacement is literalized when she is transported into the pages of her favorite fantasy novel. As Lan discovers she is a witch with the power to save a magical world, she must process her real-world grief and learn that 'home' is something you carry within you. This middle-grade adventure handles heavy themes of immigration and family longing with a magical lens, making it an empowering read for ages 8 to 12.