Grade 4 Social Issues Unit: Divorce

Twelve-year-old Evie Carson lives with her mom. In an apartment across the lake, Evie's celebrity-chef dad is starting a new life after the divorce with his young second wife, Angie, who's expecting twins. To make matters worse, Evie's dad has custody of the beloved family dog. Navigating her new family situation is difficult, and Evie turns to her love of cooking as a way to stay connected to her father. Through cooking classes, Evie finds an unexpected friend in Corey, whose eccentric aunt Shanti might be able to make everyone a little happier. Evie learns to look outside herself, help others, and make friends where she never thought she could (she also learns to make a pretty darn good soufflé.)

Dear Daddy, How's the tour going? I miss you sooooo much. I can't believe Alice split us up like this! Things are okay here...I met a girl named Millicent Min who is so, so funny. You would crack UP. And there's also this boy, Stanford--but I might jinx it if I write about him. Thanks for the credit card, but what I'd really love is a letter. Remember those things, Daddy? Letters? Just kidding. I won't REALLY go on a wild shopping spree if you don't write back soon. But it would be nice if you would write back, like, ONCE, okay? Write back. Or I'm heading straight to the mall. Love, Emily

Beverly Cleary’s Newbery Medal-winning book explores the thoughts and emotions of a sixth-grade boy, Leigh Botts, in letter form as he writes to his favorite author, Boyd Henshaw. After his parents separate, Leigh Botts moves to a new town with his mother. Struggling to make friends and deal with his anger toward his absent father, Leigh loses himself in a class assignment in which he must write to his favorite author. When Mr. Henshaw responds, the two form an unexpected friendship that will change Leigh’s life forever. From the beloved author of the Henry Huggins, Ramona Quimby, and Ralph S. Mouse series comes an epistolary novel about life’s growing pains. This novel supports the Common Core State Standards.

In her fourth book, eight-year-old Lucy Rose, a not-so-average girl with a not-so-boring life in Washington, D.C., helps a friend turn a plumbing store into a bakery--among the many, many other things that are keeping her a busy bee. Illustrations.

Helps young children deal with difficult circumstances in life, such as handling a parent's divorce, and provides useful strategies and helpful solutions.

The changes that come with divorce can be difficult for a girl. In this book, American Girl answers girls' letters about every aspect of divorce, from the initial split-up to a parent's remarriage. The book includes quizzes and tips, plus advice from girls who've been there and have wisdom to share.