Two Weeks with the Queen

Reach for this book when a child is struggling with the anger and helplessness that comes from a family member's serious illness. It is particularly helpful for siblings who feel sidelined by a medical crisis or who are using humor and grand plans to mask their deep-seated fear. This story addresses the heavy reality of terminal cancer through the eyes of twelve-year-old Colin, whose mission to enlist the Queen of England to save his brother is both heartbreaking and hilariously relatable. While the book deals with terminal illness and the loss of a loved one, it does so with a feisty, proactive spirit that empowers young readers. It explores the complexities of grief, including the stages of denial and anger, while introducing themes of empathy through Colin's unexpected friendship with a man whose partner is dying of AIDS. It is a secular, honest, and deeply moving choice for middle-grade readers who need to know that while they cannot always fix the world, their presence and kindness are the greatest gifts they can offer.