Summer of Courage

Karen Pavlicin handles childhood grief with exactly the right touch — the loss is real and the emotions are honest, but the summer at grandmother's farm gives Andy (and young readers) space to discover that life continues and connection heals. The award haul (Moonbeam Gold, Benjamin Franklin Silver, IPPY Silver, Mom's Choice Silver) is unusually strong for a middle-grade title and reflects genuine quality. Parents should know the parental cancer death is central to the story, so it's worth a conversation with sensitive younger readers before diving in.