Indigo

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the isolating weight of grief or feeling like an outsider in their own changing body. Martha is thirteen and mourning the loss of her mother while navigating the awkwardness of a sudden growth spurt and a father who seems to be moving on too quickly. It is a gentle but profound exploration of what it means to belong when your world has shifted off its axis. Alice Hoffman weaves a story that feels like a modern fairy tale, blending the harsh realities of middle school and loss with a touch of magical realism. As Martha and her friends, the uniquely gifted 'Trout' and 'Eel,' set out on a journey toward the ocean, they discover that home isn't always a place on a map. This is an ideal choice for parents looking to support a child through life transitions or to validate the feeling of being 'different' during the vulnerable early teen years.