The Puppetmaster's Apprentice

Reach for this book when your teen is struggling with the pressure of high expectations or feels like they are being treated as a tool to achieve someone else's goals. It is a sophisticated, dark reimagining of the Pinocchio myth that follows Pirouette, a wooden girl brought to life by forbidden magic, as she is forced to create an army for a tyrannical ruler. The story serves as a powerful metaphor for the search for autonomy and the courage required to define one's own soul. While the setting is fantastical, the emotional core deals with the very real adolescent experience of reclaiming one's identity from those who wish to control it. Parents will appreciate the book's exploration of ethical boundaries and the deep bond between father and daughter, even when that bond is complicated by secrets. It is a gripping, atmospheric read that normalizes the fear of being 'different' while celebrating the bravery of standing up for what is right.