The Muffin Child

Reach for this book when your child is showing an intense need for autonomy or is navigating the quiet, lonely stages of grief. In the year 1913, eleven-year-old Tanya loses her parents in a sudden flood and chooses a radical path: she decides to live alone on her family farm rather than succumb to the stifling charity of her village. By baking and selling muffins, she carves out a life of her own making. It is a lyrical, atmospheric story that balances the harsh realities of survival with a touch of folkloric magic. While the premise is heavy, the focus remains on Tanya's competence, her connection to nature, and her refusal to let others define her worth. It is a beautiful choice for mature 9-to-12-year-olds who appreciate slow-burning, thoughtful narratives about finding one's place in the world.