When I Crossed No-Bob

Reach for this book when your child is beginning to question the 'rules' of their family or community, or when they are struggling to maintain their integrity in the face of peer pressure. Set in post Civil War Mississippi, the story follows Addy, a girl born into a family of outlaws who chooses to forge a different, more honorable path. It is a powerful exploration of the idea that we are not defined by where we come from or what our parents have done. Through Addy's eyes, children see the weight of poverty and the harsh reality of Reconstruction era racism, but they also witness the transformative power of kindness and personal choice. This is an ideal selection for middle schoolers ready to engage with complex moral dilemmas and historical injustices in a way that remains grounded in a young person's search for belonging.