The Steps

A parent would reach for this book when their child is struggling to navigate the messy, often jealous feelings that come with a blended family or a 'second' family living far away. It speaks directly to the 'middle' child who feels replaced by new siblings or step-parents. The story follows twelve-year-old Annabel as she travels from New York to Australia to spend Christmas with her father, his new wife, and her 'steps.' Through Annabel's journey, the book explores themes of belonging, cultural displacement, and the realization that love isn't a finite resource. It is a realistic, grounded, and ultimately comforting look at modern family structures for the 8 to 12 age group.