The Family Tree

When Ada's teacher assigns a family tree project, the adopted girl doesn't know where to place her birth mother, her biological sister with different adoptive parents, or everyone who loves her in complicated ways. Sean Dixon and illustrator Lily Snowden-Fine answer her dilemma with a quiet, consistent metaphor — real trees branch in all directions — and the tone is gentle and affirming throughout. It was recognized by CCBC as one of the best books for kids and teens in fall 2022. The honest caveat: the book celebrates diverse and non-traditional family structures, so families with more traditional definitions of family should know that going in. The narrative is also quite low on plot tension, which may not hold every child's attention. But for children from adoptive or blended families, this is a genuinely warm and emotionally resonant choice.