The Turnabout Year

Reach for this book when your child is standing on the precipice of a major life transition, such as moving or graduating to a new school, and is struggling to balance ambition with homesickness. It is a gentle, historical look at a young girl named Lucy living in North Dakota in the early 20th century. As she navigates her final year at home before heading to school in the big city, the story mirrors the internal tug-of-war between the desire for independence and the comfort of the familiar. It is developmentally perfect for 8 to 12 year olds who are starting to realize that growing up often means leaving things behind. Parents will appreciate how it validates the anxiety of change while ultimately framing it as a hopeful, necessary evolution. The historical setting provides a safe distance to explore these heavy emotions without feeling overwhelming.