Strider

Reach for this book when your middle-schooler is navigating the quiet loneliness of a changing family dynamic or needs a boost in self-reliance. As a sequel to Dear Mr. Henshaw, this story follows fourteen-year-old Leigh Botts as he enters high school and finds an abandoned dog on the beach. Through a unique joint custody arrangement for the dog with his best friend, Leigh begins to process his own feelings about his parents' divorce. Beverly Cleary masterfully captures the transition from childhood to adolescence. The book explores themes of responsibility, the discipline of athletics, and the tentative first steps into romance. It is an excellent choice for children who feel like they are on the outside looking in, providing a realistic yet hopeful roadmap for finding one's rhythm and voice through a bond with a pet.