The Rules of the Universe

Reach for this book when your middle schooler is trying to make sense of a loved one's terminal illness or is beginning to ask big, existential questions about where we go when we die. It provides a unique bridge between the logic of science and the complexity of grief, making it ideal for the analytical child who finds comfort in facts but is struggling with emotional upheaval. Austin is a relatable thirteen-year-old protagonist whose world is upended when his Nobel Prize-winning grandfather moves in for his final days. Through their relationship, the story weaves together complex scientific theories and the heavy reality of loss. While the themes are deep and the ending is poignant, the tone is intellectually stimulating and ultimately comforting, offering a secular and wonder-filled way to process the end of life.