The Nine Lives of Travis Keating

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the quiet, isolating weight of grief or the difficulty of starting over in a community where they feel like an outsider. It is a powerful choice for children who are 'internalizers,' those who might hide their pain behind a wall of silence or struggle to articulate the loneliness that comes after a major life change. Set in a rugged Newfoundland fishing village, the story follows Travis as he mourns his mother and navigates a social landscape dominated by a local bully. At its heart, this is a story about the healing power of responsibility and the unexpected ways we find kinship. Through Travis's secret mission to care for a colony of feral cats, the narrative explores empathy, resilience, and the courage it takes to let people back in after a devastating loss. While the emotional themes are heavy, the bond between Travis and the animals provides a grounding sense of hope and purpose that makes the journey deeply rewarding for middle-grade readers.