Books Like The Birthday Room

About The Birthday Room

Reach for this book when your child is beginning to navigate the quiet complexities of family secrets or when they are struggling to find their own voice within a loud or tense household. It is an ideal choice for the preteen who feels deeply and expresses themselves through creative outlets like art or building. The story follows twelve year old Ben as he travels to Oregon to visit an uncle he has never met, stepping directly into the center of a long standing family rift caused by a childhood accident. As Ben explores his own identity as an artist, he becomes the bridge for healing between his mother and his uncle. Kevin Henkes offers a masterful, gentle exploration of forgiveness and the way small gestures of creativity can repair large emotional breaks. It is a sophisticated but accessible choice for middle grade readers who appreciate internal, character driven narratives.