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Books for Parent Deployment for Ages 12–18 – Wonderlit | Wonderlit

Browse → Ages 12–18 → Life Moments → Parent Deployment → Ages 12–18

Books for Parent Deployment for Ages 12–18

Having a parent deployed or away for extended periods as a teenager means shouldering adult responsibilities while processing feelings you may not want to admit to. These 146 books understand that particular tension, and they don't pretend it's simple.

146 books

Cover of Amaryllis

Craig Crist-Evans

Jimmy and Frank find refuge in the surf until the combined pressures of an alcoholic father and the Vietnam War threaten

Cover of Home-Front Heroes

Home-Front Heroes

For children navigating the quiet anxieties of a world at war or coping with a parent away on military duty, this story

Cover of Missing in Action

Soldier Boys #3

Missing in Action

During WWII, a boy moves to Utah and struggles to face the truth about his missing father and a new friend from a nearby

Cover of Dear Blue Sky

1 2 3...7

Dear Blue Sky

Mary Sullivan

For the child feeling the weight of a family member's absence or the anxiety of global news. This story bridges the gap

Ages 10–14

Cover of Almost Forever

For children facing a long separation from a parent, this gentle story in verse captures the quiet ache of waiting and t

Cover of Refresh, Refresh

Refresh, Refresh

Danica Novgorodoff, James Ponsoldt, Benjamin Percy

While their fathers fight in Iraq, three high school seniors face the looming pressure of adulthood and the weight of th

Cover of Nothing Else But Miracles

Nothing Else But Miracles

For the child who thrives on a sense of community or needs to find bravery when a parent is far from home, this WWII tal

Cover of Andi's War

While her parents are away fighting in the Greek Civil War, young Andi must find the strength to stand up to a local bul

Cover of Cold War on Maplewood Street

Cold War on Maplewood Street

Gayle Rosengren

For the child who feels anxious about scary world events or news. This story offers a safe way to explore big fears thro

Cover of The Summer We Found the Baby

The Summer We Found the Baby

For the child curious about history and the power of small acts of kindness during difficult times, like when a loved on

Cover of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy

Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy

The March sisters are back in this modern graphic novel retelling, navigating school, family, and growing up in the 21st

Cover of Keeping Score

In 1951 Brooklyn, a nine-year-old Dodgers fan forms an unlikely bond with a Giants supporter through the shared language

Cover of Lara and the Gray Mare

Lara and the Gray Mare

While her father is away at war, nine-year-old Lara manages the family harvest and pours her heart into caring for a bel

Cover of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making

Catherynne M. Valente

A Green Wind appears at September's window, whisking her away from an ordinary life in Omaha to a whimsical world of mag

Cover of Summer's End

Audrey Couloumbis

Four generations gather on a family farm in 1965, tethered together by worry for brothers and uncles caught in the draft

Cover of The Ghost Fox

With his father away, Little Lee must stand brave against a sinister fox creature that has disguised itself to steal his

Cover of World War II on the Home Front

You Choose: Interactive History Adventures

World War II on the Home Front

For the child curious about how kids lived during wartime, this guide explores the sacrifices and changes families faced

Cover of 10,000 Days of Thunder: A History of the Vietnam War

10,000 Days of Thunder: A History of the Vietnam War

For the student grappling with the human and political layers of war, this veteran-penned history provides a balanced, v

Cover of The Traitors' Gate

The Traitors' Gate

Fourteen-year-old John Huffman must manage spies and family secrets in 1849 London after his father is arrested and sent

Cover of The Boys' War

For the student curious about the real faces of history, this account uses the diaries and letters of boys as young as t

Cover of The Wednesday Wars

The Wednesday Wars #1

The Wednesday Wars

Gary D. Schmidt

Holling Hoodhood is stuck reading Shakespeare with a teacher who hates him, all while dodging bullies and wearing yellow

Cover of Dolls of War

Friendship Dolls #3

Shirley Parenteau

In 1941, Macy must decide if protecting her beloved Japanese friendship doll makes her disloyal to an America at war wit

Cover of Saving Winslow

Louie is determined to save a frail, sickly mini donkey named Winslow, finding hope and unexpected strength while his br

Cover of Painting the Game

Painting the Game

Patricia MacLachlan

Lucy practices her secret knuckleball at dawn, hoping to master the game she loves without living in the shadow of her p

More Ages 12–18 Books

Books for Potty Training for Ages 12–18(3)Books for Food Allergies for Ages 12–18(12)Books for Wearing Glasses for Ages 12–18(32)Books for LGBTQ+ Families for Ages 12–18(34)Books for Sharing with Siblings for Ages 12–18(67)Books for Bedtime Struggles for Ages 12–18(68)Books for Visiting the Doctor for Ages 12–18(74)Books for New Sibling for Ages 12–18(90)

Parent Deployment for Other Ages

Books for Parent Deployment for Ages 4–7(87)Books for Parent Deployment for Ages 8–11(194)

Also by Format

Chapter Books(129)Middle Grade(8)Young Adult(4)Graphic Novels(4)Picture Books(3)