the House with Mango Tree: Johnnie in Dominican Republic, Book 1

What if leaving everything familiar is the first step toward discovering where you truly belong?Twelve-year-old Johnnie never asked to move to the Dominican Republic.Back home, he had his school, his best friend, his basketball hoop-and a life that made sense. But when his parents move the family to a colorful new neighborhood for missionary work, Johnnie suddenly finds himself surrounded by unfamiliar sounds, unfamiliar words, and a culture he isn't sure will ever feel like home.Then he meets Mateo.With a baseball glove, a quick sense of humor, and plenty of patience for Johnnie's Spanish, Mateo gives the new kid something he desperately needs: a friend. And beneath the branches of a sprawling mango tree, through neighborhood adventures, unexpected power outages, glowing fireflies, and opportunities to serve others, Johnnie begins to see his new home differently.Maybe belonging doesn't happen all at once.Maybe sometimes it begins with one friend, one act of kindness, and the courage to make room for something new.The House with the Mango Tree is the heartwarming first book in the Johnnie in the Dominican Republic series-a faith-centered children's story about friendship, courage, cultural discovery, service, and trusting God through life's biggest changes.Perfect for young independent readers, family read-alouds, Christian families, homeschoolers, classrooms, churches, and children's reading groups.A warm and hopeful story for every child who has ever left something familiar and wondered if a new place could ever feel like home.