The Disappearance of Emily H.

Reach for this book when your child feels like an outsider or struggles to fit in after a major life transition like moving to a new town. It follows Raina, a girl with the secret ability to see the 'sparkles' of memory and emotion left behind by others. When she moves to a town where a girl named Emily disappeared years ago, Raina uses her gift to uncover the truth. The story beautifully balances elements of a supernatural mystery with the very real, grounded emotional labor of building self-confidence and finding true friends. It is a secular, hopeful narrative that validates the experience of being 'different' while providing a gripping, age-appropriate mystery for middle-grade readers. Parents will appreciate how it encourages empathy and the courage to stand up for others.