About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle schooler feels like they do not fit in or is quietly carrying the weight of a difficult loss. For Riley Red is a poignant, lyrical story about thirteen-year-old Rachel and her fellow outcast friends who find purpose and healing by trying to save a neglected zoo elephant named Riley. It gently explores themes of grief, social isolation, and the transformative power of empathy. While it touches on heavy emotional experiences, its focus on compassion and friendship makes it an uplifting choice for sensitive readers aged 10 to 14. You might choose this to help your child see that their sensitivity is a strength and that finding a tribe can happen in the most unexpected ways.
