We Own the Sky

Reach for this book when your child is starting to ask complex questions about fairness, prejudice, and what it means to stand up for others even when it is scary. Set in the 1920s, this moving historical novel follows two orphaned siblings, Davy and Jo, who are taken in by their cousin's traveling air circus. While the story features the thrill of barnstorming and wing-walking, it carries a deep emotional core regarding the rise of the Ku Klux Klan and the importance of choosing courage over silence. Parents will appreciate how Rodman Philbrick uses a high-stakes adventure setting to explore serious themes of social justice and belonging. It is an ideal choice for middle-grade readers (ages 8 to 12) who are ready to move beyond simple adventure tales into stories that grapple with historical realities. This book provides a safe but honest framework for discussing how communities can be divided by hate and healed by the bravery of those who refuse to be bystanders.