Pie in the Sky

Reach for this book when your child is facing a daunting transition or struggling with a 'stubborn' project that requires patience rather than force. Set in the 1970s, it follows Abby Lovitt as she enters high school and takes on the challenge of training Pie in the Sky, a talented but aloof and difficult horse. It is a quiet, contemplative story about the slow work of building trust and the realization that progress is rarely linear. Parents will appreciate how the book models maturity and emotional regulation. Abby must balance her family responsibilities on the farm with the social pressures of her freshman year, all while navigating her own growing independence. It is an excellent choice for middle schoolers who value authenticity and are looking for a protagonist who earns her successes through grit and empathy.