The Trouble With Mothers

A parent might reach for this book when their child is experiencing acute embarrassment over a parent's actions or is grappling with a family issue becoming public. It validates the intense feelings of shame middle schoolers can have about their family, while also providing a model for navigating that shame and finding pride. The story follows Luke, whose mother, a teacher, writes a historical novel that a local group labels "pornography" and tries to ban from the school library. Luke must navigate peer ridicule, his own complicated feelings, and the larger community debate over censorship. It's an excellent choice for a 9-13 year old as it tackles big ideas like intellectual freedom and justice through the very relatable lens of a kid who just wishes his mom were normal. It opens the door for conversations about standing up for your beliefs, even when it's uncomfortable.