Taking Care of Terrific

Reach for this book when your middle schooler begins to question why some people have so much while others have so little, or when they are struggling to find their own authentic voice in a world of expectations. This story follows Enid Purvis, a young babysitter who renames herself Cynthia to escape her boring identity. As she cares for a young boy she calls Terrific, she navigates the complex social landscape of a city park, forming unlikely friendships with people experiencing homelessness and learning that true maturity involves seeing the humanity in everyone. Lois Lowry masterfully handles themes of social justice and empathy without being heavy-handed. It is an ideal choice for the 10 to 14 age range because it mirrors the pre-teen desire for independence and a new identity while introducing serious real-world issues like poverty and class distinctions. Parents will appreciate how the book models active kindness and the importance of looking beyond superficial labels to find common ground.