Heart to Heart

A parent would reach for this book when their middle-schooler is beginning to navigate the fluttery, often confusing world of first crushes and secret admirers. Heart to Heart follows twelve-year-old Madison Finn as she balances the excitement of a mystery Valentine with the complexities of her parents' divorce and shifting social circles at school. It is a perfect choice for children who feel 'left out' of the romance loop or are struggling to maintain their own identity amidst peer pressure. Through Madison’s digital diary entries, the story normalizes the anxiety of social media and email communication, making it highly relatable for the modern-day pre-teen. It explores themes of self-confidence and friendship loyalty with a gentle, age-appropriate touch. Parents will appreciate how the book models healthy ways to process emotions, like writing, while addressing the realities of a single-parent household and the inevitable 'mean girl' rivalries of the sixth grade.