Heartbeat

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the shifting landscape of growing up, particularly changes in family dynamics or a growing awareness of a grandparent's aging. This gentle verse novel follows twelve-year-old Annie as she navigates her mother's pregnancy, her grandfather's fading memory, and the evolving pressures of friendship. Through the rhythmic metaphor of running and an art project focused on a changing apple, the story explores the beauty of life's natural cycles. It is a comforting, emotionally resonant choice for children ages 8 to 12 who are moving from the simplicity of childhood into the more complex realities of the middle school years. Sharon Creech's sparse, poetic language provides a safe space to normalize feelings of uncertainty and wonder, helping children find their own pace and rhythm amidst a world that never stops changing.