The Golden Hour

Reach for this book when your child is struggling with a significant loss and seems withdrawn or stuck in their grief. It is an ideal choice for the middle-grade reader who needs to see that while pain is real, it is possible to find a path back to joy through courage and connection. The story follows siblings Rowan and Nina to a mysterious resort where they discover a portal to 18th-century France. As they navigate the dangers of the French Revolution, the narrative mirrors their internal struggle to survive the 'revolution' of their own lives after their mother's death. It is a secular, adventurous, and ultimately hopeful look at resilience for ages 8 to 12. You might choose it to bridge the gap between a child's love for historical fantasy and their need to process complex, heavy emotions in a safe, fictional space.