The Girl in Between

Reach for this book when your child feels like a 'fish out of water' or is struggling with the shame of being different from their peers. It is particularly resonant for children moving from a rural or modest background into a high-pressure academic or urban environment. The story follows Annuzza, a Romanian peasant girl whose academic talents earn her a scholarship to a prestigious city school. As she navigates this new world, she faces the painful tension between her love for her family and her desire to fit in with her wealthy classmates. It is a deeply empathetic look at the cost of social mobility and the courage it takes to be true to oneself. This book is best suited for middle schoolers (ages 10 to 14) who are beginning to navigate the complexities of social status and personal identity.