Peppermint Kiss

A parent might reach for this book when their child is navigating the intense, confusing, and exciting world of a first crush. It perfectly captures the moment when a new romantic interest begins to complicate long-standing friendships. 'Peppermint Kiss' follows tween Lucy as she falls for a boy in her drama club, but her new obsession causes a rift with her best friend. The story gently explores themes of jealousy, loyalty, and self-identity. It's an age-appropriate, lighthearted choice for tweens (9-12) that normalizes these big new feelings and offers a sweet, reassuring story about balancing friendship and first love.