The Ever-After Bird

Reach for this book when your teenager begins to grapple with the gray areas of morality or expresses a desire to understand the personal cost of activism. Set in 1851, the story follows Cece, a young girl who joins her father on a scientific expedition to find a rare bird, only to discover the journey is a front for the Underground Railroad. This historical novel explores the intersection of personal safety and social justice, highlighting the immense courage required to help others in the face of legal and physical danger. It is a sophisticated choice for middle and high schoolers who are ready to discuss the complexities of the American past and the weight of ethical responsibility.