The Landing

Reach for this book when your teen feels weighed down by family expectations or limited by their current environment. It is a soul-stirring choice for the child who has a secret passion but lacks the means or the confidence to pursue it. Set in the 1930s on a rugged Canadian island, the story follows fifteen-year-old Ben, who works tirelessly to help his family survive the Depression while hiding his immense musical talent on the violin. This novel explores the complex tension between the duty we owe our families and the duty we owe our own gifts. It handles themes of poverty, class disparity, and mentorship with great nuance, making it an excellent conversation starter for older middle schoolers and high schoolers. Ultimately, it is a story of hope that validates the feeling of being misunderstood while showing that talent can be a bridge to a wider world.