The Book of Lost Things (The Book of Lost Things, #1)

Reach for this book when your adolescent is struggling with the profound anger or isolation that follows the death of a parent or the arrival of a new step-family. It follows twelve-year-old David, who is transported into a dark, warped version of classic fairy tales as he processes his mother's death and his father's remarriage. This is a sophisticated and gritty exploration of the transition from childhood to adulthood, illustrating how we use stories to make sense of a world that feels increasingly unfair. Parents should note this is a dark fantasy intended for mature middle schoolers and teens, offering a raw, honest look at the ugliness of grief and the bravery required to accept a new reality.