The Looking Glass Wars

Reach for this book when your child feels that their lived reality or personal truth is being dismissed by adults, or when they are navigating the heavy weight of a major life transition that feels like being dropped into a foreign world. This gripping reimagining of Alice in Wonderland follows Alyss Heart, a princess forced to flee her home after a violent coup. Stranded in Victorian London, she tries to tell her story to Lewis Carroll, only to have him turn her trauma into a nonsensical children's tale. It is a powerful exploration of identity, resilience, and the frustration of being misunderstood. While the story is an epic fantasy filled with creative world-building, its core is about a young girl reclaiming her narrative and her power. Parents will find it a useful bridge for discussing how we cope with grief and how we maintain our integrity when the world tries to redefine who we are. Due to some intense action sequences and themes of loss, it is best suited for middle schoolers and young teens who enjoy high-stakes adventure and complex character arcs.