Struggling to connect with your tween in the midst of a move or finding the right way to support them? Consider the impact of books and movies. Storytelling, no matter the medium, is a powerful tool in helping others who are in a similar situation feel a sense of camaraderie and connectedness. It also gives them an avenue to help process and talk about their emotions in the context of a 3rd party. Books and movies can present coping skills, defense mechanisms, and time-tested learnings in a powerful and memorable way that pre-teens can then implement in their own lives. Talking to your tween is pivotal – particularly during a tough transition such as moving; so consider these great resources as a way to get the conversation flowing!
1) Inside Out
This Disney Pixar hit looks at moving through the feelings of 12-year-old Riley, whose family relocates to San Francisco for her father’s job. It’s an amazingly palpable portrayal of the emotions that control Riley’s thoughts (paralleling our own thoughts as adults as well). This movie provides a great foundation for understanding how we process and deal with emotions during times of change. Highlighting that emotions don’t have to be permanent and that there is a time and a place for sadness, this movie leads the way in our ‘To Read/Watch” list before a move!
1) Inside Out
This Disney Pixar hit looks at moving through the feelings of 12-year-old Riley, whose family relocates to San Francisco for her father’s job. It’s an amazingly palpable portrayal of the emotions that control Riley’s thoughts (paralleling our own thoughts as adults as well). This movie provides a great foundation for understanding how we process and deal with emotions during times of change. Highlighting that emotions don’t have to be permanent and that there is a time and a place for sadness, this movie leads the way in our ‘To Read/Watch” list before a move!
2) Moving Day (Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls, Book 1) by Meg Cabot (The author of The Princess Diaries)
Feisty nine year old Allie Finkle has her whole world turned upside down when she has to move. As she experiences the transition of the move and settling in, she does so in a way that many pre-teens will relate to. With humor, some stubbornness, and important learnings along the way, this book will help your tween feel comfort in knowing that she is not alone in this transition.
Feisty nine year old Allie Finkle has her whole world turned upside down when she has to move. As she experiences the transition of the move and settling in, she does so in a way that many pre-teens will relate to. With humor, some stubbornness, and important learnings along the way, this book will help your tween feel comfort in knowing that she is not alone in this transition.
3) The Kid in the Red Jacket by Barbara Park
Ten-year-old Howard Jeeter’s move presents an honest and humorous look at transitioning to a new place and trying to make friends. The protagonist in this well written and entertaining book helps boys who are moving know that they are not alone in struggling to adapt. Boy or girl, your tween is sure to relate to this book and love it!
Ten-year-old Howard Jeeter’s move presents an honest and humorous look at transitioning to a new place and trying to make friends. The protagonist in this well written and entertaining book helps boys who are moving know that they are not alone in struggling to adapt. Boy or girl, your tween is sure to relate to this book and love it!
4) The Essential Moving Guided Journal for Pre-teens by Sara Elizabeth Boehm
With quizzes, games, and thoughtful questions and guided tasks, this journal takes an active, hands-on approach in helping tweens process their own feelings and experiences. We recommend this book to all moving tweens, regardless of gender or location. This journal complements other forms of support and encouragement, helping pre-teens to reflect on their own move: what do they value in friends; what do they appreciate most; what are their goals after they settle in; and recording fond memories. This journal makes the moving process a more personal adventure.
With quizzes, games, and thoughtful questions and guided tasks, this journal takes an active, hands-on approach in helping tweens process their own feelings and experiences. We recommend this book to all moving tweens, regardless of gender or location. This journal complements other forms of support and encouragement, helping pre-teens to reflect on their own move: what do they value in friends; what do they appreciate most; what are their goals after they settle in; and recording fond memories. This journal makes the moving process a more personal adventure.
5) Slurping Soup and Other Confusions by Tonges, Menezes, and Gemmer Emigh
While moving within your own country can be very difficult, but moving internationally presents a host of other unique challenges. This book addresses those through 23 real life stories. These stories help visualize international moving through the eyes of those who have been personally been there. It will help you work with your own child to prepare and adapt before and after moving. 3rd culture/expat kids and parents will appreciate having this book with them for the journey!
While moving within your own country can be very difficult, but moving internationally presents a host of other unique challenges. This book addresses those through 23 real life stories. These stories help visualize international moving through the eyes of those who have been personally been there. It will help you work with your own child to prepare and adapt before and after moving. 3rd culture/expat kids and parents will appreciate having this book with them for the journey!
6) Anastasia Again! by Lois Lowry
From award-winning author, Lois Lowry, this book follows 12-year-old Anastasia as her parents move her from the city to the suburbs. Leaving all the people and places she knows so well to a new and strange world isn’t fun, at first, but it isn’t long before Anastasia falls in love with her new surroundings and experiences fun, new adventures. A heartfelt and entertaining read, even for non-movers, this book is a great reminder of the many new experiences and opportunities that await you after a move!
From award-winning author, Lois Lowry, this book follows 12-year-old Anastasia as her parents move her from the city to the suburbs. Leaving all the people and places she knows so well to a new and strange world isn’t fun, at first, but it isn’t long before Anastasia falls in love with her new surroundings and experiences fun, new adventures. A heartfelt and entertaining read, even for non-movers, this book is a great reminder of the many new experiences and opportunities that await you after a move!
7) The Ellie McDoodle Diaries: New Kid in School by Ruth McNally Barshaw
Ellie has moved and is struggling to make friends, be noticed, and find her place in her new school. That is, before she decides to spearhead a protest of the cafeteria that her classmates have been complaining about. A lighthearted read on conquering the struggles of moving in a fun (if not slightly improbable) way. This book empowers young readers, reminding them that sometimes you need to seize the opportunity and take initiative to find your place.
Ellie has moved and is struggling to make friends, be noticed, and find her place in her new school. That is, before she decides to spearhead a protest of the cafeteria that her classmates have been complaining about. A lighthearted read on conquering the struggles of moving in a fun (if not slightly improbable) way. This book empowers young readers, reminding them that sometimes you need to seize the opportunity and take initiative to find your place.
8) Amber Brown Is Not a Crayon by Paula Danziger
This book is written from the perspective of those who are left behind by a friend or family member who has moved. Amber’s best friend, Justin, is moving away and they’ve gone from best friends who are inseparable to fighting all the time! Whether your child is moving or has a good friend who is moving, this book provides a wonderful perspective on how a move can affect everyone involved. It’s also a good reminder to your pre-teens that even though a move will be tough on them, it may also be challenging for their friends, who may not always react in ways that are helpful, even when they care.
This book is written from the perspective of those who are left behind by a friend or family member who has moved. Amber’s best friend, Justin, is moving away and they’ve gone from best friends who are inseparable to fighting all the time! Whether your child is moving or has a good friend who is moving, this book provides a wonderful perspective on how a move can affect everyone involved. It’s also a good reminder to your pre-teens that even though a move will be tough on them, it may also be challenging for their friends, who may not always react in ways that are helpful, even when they care.
9) The Harry Potter series
After discovering his identity, Harry must become accustomed to new surroundings, new people, new powers, all while adjusting to being the new (and noticeable) kid in school. A great way for tweens to remember the power of sticking up for what you believe in, picking trustworthy friends, and believing in yourself.
After discovering his identity, Harry must become accustomed to new surroundings, new people, new powers, all while adjusting to being the new (and noticeable) kid in school. A great way for tweens to remember the power of sticking up for what you believe in, picking trustworthy friends, and believing in yourself.
10) How to Win Friends and Influence People for Teen Girls by Donna Dale Carnegie
Making friends is one of the hardest parts of moving for most teens and tweens. What’s even more challenging is finding the right friends who will be a positive and healthy influence. In line with the Carnegie way of practical and clear advice, this book serves as a great reminder and teacher for older tweens and teens girls. Covering topics such as clear and positive communication as well as how to diffuse arguments and admit mistakes, it offers lessons beneficial for all stages of life, but is particularly helpful in the midst of a move when discomfort and loneliness can take center stage.
Making friends is one of the hardest parts of moving for most teens and tweens. What’s even more challenging is finding the right friends who will be a positive and healthy influence. In line with the Carnegie way of practical and clear advice, this book serves as a great reminder and teacher for older tweens and teens girls. Covering topics such as clear and positive communication as well as how to diffuse arguments and admit mistakes, it offers lessons beneficial for all stages of life, but is particularly helpful in the midst of a move when discomfort and loneliness can take center stage.
Any books/movies that we are missing that you would recommend?
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