The Summer of May

Reach for this book when your child feels like the 'difficult' one in the family or is struggling with intense outbursts of anger they don't quite understand. It is a powerful resource for children who feel misunderstood by authority figures and need to see their internal emotional storms reflected with empathy and nuance. The story follows May, a twelve year old girl with a quick fuse who is convinced she is the 'bad' kid compared to her seemingly perfect brother. As she embarks on a summer quest to find the mother who left her, she begins to peel back layers of family secrets and mental health struggles. It is a deeply moving exploration of forgiveness, the complexity of parental love, and the realization that being angry doesn't make you unlovable. This book is best suited for mature middle grade readers who are ready to navigate realistic family dynamics and the messy process of healing.