Hurricane Season

Like most pre-teens, Fig is a sixth grader who must grapple with questions and struggles around school, love, and fitting in. But unlike other kids her age, she must also deal with her father’s mental illness, and she turns to art to understand and cope with her complex feelings and responsibilities. A book about art, courage, growing up, and learning the boundaries of love, “Hurricane Season” is engaging and suitable for middle-grade students and lends itself well as a read-aloud or literature circle choice. The story may inspire classroom discussion and critical thinking about mental health—encouraging empathy, understanding, and social-emotional introspection.