The Outcasts (Brotherband Chronicles, #1)

A parent should reach for this book when their child is feeling like an outsider or struggling to find their place in a group. It is the perfect story for a young person who feels they do not fit the traditional mold of success and needs to see that being different can actually be a superpower. The story follows Hal Mikkelson, a boy of mixed heritage who is smaller and more cerebral than his peers in a seafaring warrior culture. When he is forced to lead a group of fellow outcasts in a grueling series of maritime challenges, he must use his inventive mind and inclusive leadership to prove their worth. This is a story about finding belonging, building confidence through competence, and the power of a chosen family. It is highly appropriate for middle schoolers, offering a grounded and realistic take on teamwork without the need for magical solutions.