Runaways, The

Reach for this book when your child feels stifled by their surroundings or trapped by a family situation they cannot change. Set in 1951, it follows twelve-year-old Dani as she navigates the dust and isolation of a small Nevada town while grappling with her mother's unpredictable life choices. It is a poignant exploration of the desire for agency and the complicated reality of needing to escape when you have nowhere to go. This story is best for middle-grade readers who appreciate emotional depth over fast-paced action. It provides a safe space to discuss the feeling of being an outsider and how friendship can offer a sense of home when your actual home feels unstable. Parents will value how Snyder treats children's big emotions with dignity and realism.