The Voyage to Magical North

Reach for this book when your child feels restricted by their current environment or is struggling to define who they are apart from the labels adults or peers have placed on them. Brine is a girl who has spent her life as a servant, only to find herself thrust into a high-stakes pirate adventure where she must learn to trust her own instincts. Through her journey to find the fabled Magical North, she discovers that her past does not have to dictate her future. It is a perfect choice for middle-grade readers who crave independence and wonder. The story balances humor and whimsy with deeper questions about agency and belonging. Parents will appreciate how it models a healthy, platonic partnership between Brine and Peter, a magician's apprentice, as they navigate a world of sea monsters and eccentric sailors. It is an empowering, secular adventure that encourages children to steer their own ship toward the person they want to become.