Patina

Reach for this book when your child is the family rock who feels they must always be strong and capable. It is an essential read for kids managing high expectations or those assuming caregiving roles at home. Patina (Patty) is a talented runner navigating the pressures of an elite track team, a new private school, and the emotional weight of her mother losing her legs to diabetes. The story explores deep themes of sisterly love, the stress of perfectionism, and the learning curve of trusting teammates. Appropriate for ages 10 to 14, it offers a realistic yet hopeful look at how a young person can find their own pace without carrying everyone else's burdens alone.