Rhiannon

Reach for this book when your child starts feeling the painful friction of a friendship moving at two different speeds. Rhiannon is a quiet, sensitive girl living in a retirement community whose world revolves around her summer visits with her best friend, Kit. However, this year Kit has changed, and the arrival of a rebellious new girl named Elizabeth forces Rhiannon to confront feelings of jealousy and the fear of being left behind. It is a poignant, visually stunning exploration of the messy transition from childhood play to teenage social dynamics. Parents will appreciate how it validates the grief of losing a childhood connection while encouraging self-reliance and the discovery of one's own identity. It is best suited for middle schoolers navigating peer pressure and shifting social circles.