About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their child is witnessing a deep, ideological rift between family members or mentors they love. It is specifically designed for children who are struggling to understand how good people can end up on opposite sides of a conflict, leaving the child caught in the middle. The story follows Haley, whose summer plans for softball and bonding with her cousin Gwen are derailed when her father and uncle take opposing sides during a local newspaper strike. This realistic fiction novel explores themes of loyalty, fairness, and the painful reality of family friction. It is highly appropriate for the 8 to 12 age range, offering a nuanced look at how external pressures like labor disputes can seep into the home. Parents will appreciate how it models the difficulty of maintaining a relationship when the adults in the room are at odds, providing a safe space to discuss mediation and empathy.
