What the Jaguar Told Her

Reach for this book when your middle-schooler is grappling with a major life transition, such as a move to a new city or the illness of a beloved grandparent. It is especially suited for children who feel caught between two worlds or are struggling to find their voice in a new environment. The story follows Jade, an eighth grader who moves from Chicago to Atlanta, leaving behind her community and her ailing Abuela. Through magical encounters with a shapeshifting storyteller in the woods, Jade explores her Mexican heritage and finds the internal strength to face real-world tragedies, including the 9/11 attacks and her family's grief. It is a lyrical, sophisticated choice for ages 10 to 12 that validates the complexity of growing up while offering a hopeful, magical lens on cultural identity.