About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with questions of identity, cultural pride, or the fear of being truly alone in the world. Rodzina is a powerful historical novel that speaks to the specific emotional need of finding one's place when traditional structures have failed. It follows a twelve year old Polish American girl who, after losing her family, is placed on an orphan train heading west from Chicago. While the setting is historical, the emotional core is deeply modern, focusing on Rodzina's resilience and her refusal to pretend to be someone she is not just to please potential adopters. It explores themes of belonging, the weight of grief, and the quiet bravery required to hope for a better future. The story is appropriate for middle schoolers and serves as a poignant reminder that family can be found in unexpected places and that our heritage is a source of strength.
