Wendall

Reach for this book when your child starts asking big questions about why the world isn't always fair or how different cultures learned to live together. Based on the sweeping historical narrative of Ragtime, this story follows three distinct families at the turn of the 20th century: a wealthy white family, a determined Black musician, and a Jewish immigrant father and daughter. It is a powerful tool for discussing how change happens through both struggle and song. While the themes of justice and systemic inequality are serious, the narrative is infused with a sense of hope and the rhythmic energy of a new era. It is best suited for older children and teens who are ready to engage with the complexities of American history, including the harsh realities of prejudice and the resilience required to overcome it. Parents will appreciate how it uses music and intersecting lives to make abstract historical concepts feel deeply personal and urgent.