City of the Plague God

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the shadow of a loss or feeling the immense pressure of living up to a family legacy. While it is framed as a high-stakes mythological adventure, it is essentially a guide for navigating the heavy weight of grief and the search for identity within a rich cultural heritage. Thirteen-year-old Sikander deals with the death of his brother and the burden of his parents' deli business while accidentally unleashing an ancient Mesopotamian plague god upon New York City. This story beautifully balances humor with profound emotional depth, offering a safe space to explore themes of mortality and bravery. It is highly appropriate for middle-schoolers who enjoy fast-paced action but are ready for more nuanced discussions about what it means to be a hero in everyday life. You might choose it to provide your child with a mirror for their own cultural experiences or as a window into a vibrant, underrepresented mythology.