Just finished reading Astrid the Unstoppable by Maria Parr, and highly recommend it as a read-aloud for families. It has laugh-out-loud moments, and a few get-teary moments. Mostly, I love the way the author tackles complicated family relationships, acknowledging the way that the people you love the most can also hurt you the most, and what to do about it. Beautifully (and hilariously) written.
Trigger warning: parental abandonment. May not be suitable for children actively dealing with trauma from abandonment.
Protagonist is a strong female, and by “strong” I mean aggressive, loud, and sometimes rude and mouthy. But I also mean compassionate, decisive, empathetic, and determined.
Topics I care about that show up in this book: the power of music, friendships beyond those of peers, making a concerted effort to understand people with experiences different than your own, standing up for things you believe in, and forgiveness.
4/5 stars
Purchase Astrid the Unstoppable here.
Also read: Introverted Mom by Jamie C. Martin