The Great Good Summer

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with a parent's sudden emotional or physical absence, or when they start asking 'big' questions about the universe and faith. Ivy's mother has unexpectedly left to find herself at a spiritual retreat, leaving Ivy in a state of confusion and longing. To cope, Ivy teams up with a space-obsessed boy named Paul Walden to embark on a secret quest across Texas to find her mom and witness a space shuttle launch. This story beautifully balances the heavy reality of family abandonment with the lighthearted wonder of a summer adventure. It provides a safe space for children ages 8 to 12 to explore themes of religious doubt, scientific curiosity, and the realization that parents are flawed human beings. It is an excellent choice for normalizing feelings of resentment and hope during times of family transition.