That Fernhill Summer

Reach for this book when your child is beginning to ask deeper questions about family secrets, their own heritage, or why certain relatives feel like strangers. It is especially resonant for biracial children navigating the tension between different branches of their family tree. The story follows Kiara, a New York City teen who spends a transformative summer in Baltimore with her mother's family. As she confronts an intimidating grandmother and uncovers long-buried family history, she begins to understand how the past shapes her present. This is a quiet, thoughtful exploration of belonging and identity, perfect for middle schoolers (ages 10-14) who are ready for a realistic look at complex family dynamics and the process of finding one's own voice within a multigenerational legacy.