Summer of a Thousand Pies

Reach for this book when your child is facing a major transition, such as entering foster care or moving to a new home where they feel like an outsider. It is a comforting and grounded story about Cady, a young girl sent to live with an aunt she barely knows after her father is incarcerated. As Cady helps her aunt save a struggling bakery, she navigates the complex emotions of displacement, economic instability, and the slow process of building trust. This middle-grade novel is perfect for ages 8 to 12. It offers a gentle but honest exploration of what it means to belong and how to find your voice through creative passion. Parents will appreciate the way it balances heavy reality with the hopeful, tactile joy of baking, providing a roadmap for children who are learning to define 'home' for themselves.