The True History of Lyndie B. Hawkins

Reach for this book when your child is beginning to notice that the adults in their lives are flawed, keeping secrets, or struggling with their own mental health. Lyndie B. Hawkins is a spunky, history-loving girl trying to navigate a family in flux: her father is battling depression and PTSD, her mother is obsessed with maintaining a facade of perfection, and her grandmother is strictly traditional. Set in a 1980s Southern town, the story balances the weight of family secrets with the lightness of true friendship and the power of finding one's voice. This is an ideal choice for middle-grade readers (ages 8 to 12) who are ready for more complex realistic fiction. It provides a safe space to discuss heavy topics like job loss, mental illness, and truth-telling while emphasizing that children are not responsible for fixing their parents. It is a comforting, honest, and ultimately hopeful guide for any child who feels like they are the only ones whose family life doesn't match the picture-perfect version shown to the world.