Surviving Santiago

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling to reconcile their love for a parent with that parent's destructive behaviors, or when a teen is starting to question the complicated nature of political and social justice. This historical novel follows Tina as she travels to Chile to visit her estranged father, only to find him spiraling into alcoholism while risking everything to resist the Pinochet dictatorship. It is a powerful exploration of loyalty, disappointment, and the realization that parents are flawed humans. This story is best suited for older middle schoolers and high schoolers due to its mature themes of substance abuse, political violence, and the emotional weight of family secrets. It offers a mirror for teens who feel like they have to grow up faster than their peers to manage a parent's instability.