Thorn

Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with feeling like a misfit or is struggling to reconcile their self worth with a physical limitation. It is a powerful choice for families navigating the emotional weight of social exclusion or the transition to a new, unfamiliar environment. The story follows Thorn, a young man with a physical deformity who is exiled from his home and must forge a new identity in a foreign land. Through his journey, the book explores profound themes of resilience, the arbitrary nature of social hierarchies, and the courage it takes to define oneself when others only see a disability. It is developmentally appropriate for ages 12 and up, offering a sophisticated look at how personal strength can bloom from the harshest circumstances. Parents will appreciate the way it elevates a historical fantasy setting into a timeless mirror for the teenage experience of wanting to belong while remaining true to oneself.