Truth and Salsa

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the quiet, heavy aftermath of a parental split or a major move. It provides a sanctuary for the child who feels caught between two worlds and needs to see that happiness can be rebuilt in new, unexpected places. The story follows twelve-year-old Hayley as she spends a season with her grandmother in Mexico, trading her familiar life for a vibrant landscape of markets, mystery, and healing. Through the lens of Mexican culture and the steady presence of a wise grandparent, the book explores themes of resilience and the complexity of changing family dynamics. It is a gentle, secular, and deeply comforting choice for middle-grade readers (ages 8 to 12) who are learning how to carry their grief while still making room for joy.