Ties That Bind, Ties That Break

Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the pressure to fit in or is questioning long-held family traditions that don't feel right to them. It is a powerful tool for discussing how to maintain one's integrity when the cost of doing so is high, specifically focusing on a young girl's refusal to follow the painful practice of footbinding in early 20th-century China. Through Ailin's eyes, children explore themes of autonomy, gender roles, and the courage required to forge a new path. While the historical setting is specific, the emotional core of the story is universal: the transition from following rules to defining one's own identity. It is an excellent choice for mature middle schoolers ready to discuss how society treats those who dare to be different and how resilience can lead to unexpected, fulfilling lives.