Like the Willow Tree

Reach for this book when your child is processing a major life transition, such as a move or the loss of a loved one, and needs to see how stability can be rebuilt from the ground up. This historical diary follows eleven year old Lydia after the 1918 flu epidemic claims her parents, forcing her and her brother into a Shaker community. While the premise is rooted in grief, the story focuses on the healing power of routine, nature, and a new kind of family. It is a gentle, sophisticated exploration of resilience suitable for upper elementary readers. Parents will value how it validates deep sadness while showing that joy can eventually grow in new, unexpected places.