One-Eyed Cat

Reach for this book when your child is burdened by a secret or struggling with the private weight of a mistake they are afraid to admit. Set in the 1930s, the story follows Ned, a minister's son who disobeys his father by firing a forbidden air rifle into the darkness. When he later discovers a wild cat with a missing eye, he is consumed by the guilt of his possible actions. This Newbery Honor book explores the complex landscape of shame, the difficulty of honesty, and the slow path toward self-forgiveness. It is a quiet, literary choice for children ages 10 to 14 who are navigating the transition from childhood innocence to the moral complexities of the adult world. It provides a safe space to discuss how secrets can isolate us and how truth ultimately offers the only path to relief.