Prairie Ostrich

A parent would reach for this book when their child is navigating the heavy silence of a family tragedy or feeling isolated by being different. Set in 1970s Alberta, it follows eight-year-old Imogene, nicknamed Egg, as she navigates a home fractured by the death of her brother. With a mother lost to alcohol and a father retreated to the barn, Egg and her sister Kathy must find their own ways to survive both domestic neglect and schoolyard bullying. While the themes are sophisticated, the story provides a vital mirror for children experiencing complex grief or the weight of carrying family secrets. It is best suited for mature middle-grade readers who are ready to discuss difficult realities through a lens of quiet resilience.