Purity

A parent would reach for this book when their teenage daughter is navigating the complex tension between family traditions and her own burgeoning autonomy. It is particularly relevant for families processing the loss of a mother or those grappling with the pressures of religious or social purity movements. The story follows Shelby, a sixteen-year-old caught between her deceased mother's wish for her to live boldly and her father's desire for her to take a traditional purity pledge. The book explores emotional themes of grief, self-identity, and the courage required to set personal boundaries. It is developmentally appropriate for high schoolers (14-18) who are ready to examine how their values might differ from those of their parents. Choosing this book offers a bridge for difficult conversations about consent, agency, and the realization that a child's choices are not a reflection of a parent's success.