The protagonist in Sunyi Dean's novel The Book Eaters repeatedly finds herself compelled to carry out cruel acts against others in order to protect her young son. This moral dilemma is central to the character's development and forces readers to consider a difficult question: If a parent does bad things for the good of their child, can the ends ever justify the means? This is a fascinating topic sure to inspire debate, which is why authors have often been drawn to tackle it. Here are some other examples of books that explore moral dilemmas related to parenthood.

In My Name Is Monster by Katie Hale, our main character has survived alone for years in a world decimated by disease. Her existence is turned upside down when she finds and takes in a young feral girl. Complex and layered, the narrative explores the endurance of societal roles, the demands of motherhood and the dangers of attempting to shape children into mirror images of ourselves.

Other People's Children by R.J....