Pieces of Purple: The Greatness, Grit, and Grace of Growing Up MK

by Michèle Phoenix

“A deeply moving and essential read for MKs, TCKs, and the parents and caregivers who support them. This book is a lifeline for those seeking understanding and connection in their journey. An absolute must-read!” Kath Williams, National TCK Coordinator, TCK Interlink

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Pieces of Purple is an ode to the beauty and complexity of Third Culture Kids. It goes beyond the usual inventory of TCK strengths and challenges, uncovering foundational truths that shape this community’s sense of self, world, and God.

Blending memoir, research, and storytelling, Michèle Phoenix draws on a lifetime as a Missionaries’ Kid and more than three decades working with Third Culture Kids to paint a compelling and compassionate portrait, inviting the reader to explore fifteen formative aspects of the MK and TCK experience that influence how this people group uniquely navigates identity, hardship, and spirituality.

More than anything, Pieces of Purple is a celebration of the immeasurable gift of growing up between worlds. It empowers Global Nomads to better understand their unique traits and needs, and equips those who walk alongside them to love them more wholly and effectively.

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What readers are

“Pieces of Purple is the book ministry-related TCK families have been waiting for. A welcome addition to an expanding conversation!” Ruth Van Reken, Third Culture Kids, Letters Never Sent

“Pieces of Purple needs to be on the bookshelf of every missionary family. An honest yet encouraging look at some of the unique challenges MKs face, gracefully weaving awareness with hope.” Lauren Wells, CEO of TCK Training, Author, Raising Up a Generation of Healthy Third Culture Kids

“Unlike any other book I've read, Pieces of Purple beautifully speaks to the core belovedness of MK and TCK identity. Tender and honest insights into the life of Third Culture Kids, told by a master teacher and storyteller.” Lori Harms, Director of Children's Debriefing, Mission Training International (MTI)

“Sharing from her extensive experience in working with MKs, Michèle succinctly and accurately describes the benefits and challenges of growing up between worlds. Her insights should be must-read material for all those who are parenting MKs or walking alongside them." Matthew Wright, Executive Director, The 631 Solution

“Michèle educates, challenges, and gently speaks bold truth from a heart of love and personal experience. We owe it to the spiritual, emotional, and mental health of our MKs to read this book.” Dr. J. Scott Howington, Pastor, Pleasant Hill Community Church, Wheaton

Kindle Edition

Published April 3, 2025

About the author

Raised in France by a Canadian father and an American mother, Michèle is a mentor, writer, and speaker with a heart for Missionaries’ Kids. She taught for twenty years at Black Forest Academy (Germany) before launching her own ministry advocating for MKs and TCKs in 2011. She now travels globally to teach on topics related to this unique people group, consults with international families and organizations, writes articles about TCK joys and challenges for her blog, and hosts the Pondering Purple podcast. Michèle has written five traditionally published novels, as well as Flecks of Gold, a reflection on God and suffering that stems from her journeys through cancer. It is available only through her website.

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Know a TCK? READ THIS BOOK!

[Brianna Penner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is such an incredible addition to the world of TCK resources. Michèle does a great job describing both the blessings and challenges of living as a missionary kid. I recommend it to all TCKs, parents of TCKs, and those interested in the subject.

“But then I remember the breathtaking bliss of Ireland’s greenness and the vividness of the Honduran skies, and the depth of Nairobi’s Vista’s — and I reminded myself that mostly-belonging is a challenge I can manage for the sake of the blessings I can’t measure.”

[Rod Innis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed this book! I have finished reading it, and I haven't. I plan to reread it and soon. I plan to talk to my MKs/ TCKs about it. I pray that it will be a blessing to us all.

I did reread it in preparation for talking to my children about it. I look forward to those conversations

[Danieke Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute must-read for anyone who is a TCK themselves or has known and worked with TCK's. Michèle Phoenix comes alongside those both in and outside of a faith background in a tender, ever-caring way to say "You are not alone, and this piece of your identity matters." I love this book. I love her. This impacted me on a deeply personal and profound way.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gift to TCK families. Highly recommend for those who grew up as a TCK and/or love a third culture kid.

[Emily Mangels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly Recommend! Michele's voice is SO important in this space!

[Justin Jacobsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a TCK please read this!

[Christy Carmean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic addition to the MK and TCK collection of books. Every missionary family needs to read this book before the move overseas and reread it on a yearly basis. Filled with personal stories, education, and practical suggestions to navigate life as an MK, this is a must read for parents, caregivers and MKs alike!
Chapter 7 on Trauma and Positive Childhood Experiences is so well done- and her writings about belonging in chapter 12-13 are worth the price of the whole book. So so good!

[Jeff Turnbough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Experienced and balanced approach to TCKs

I recommend this book for TCKs and for the parents of TCKs! Michèle clearly writes from experience—both personal experience and the experiences of the many TCKs she has known. I enjoyed how she included quotes from TCKs throughout the book.

[Kenji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book exploring the lives of MK's and the various joys and pressures that go into it. Must read for MK's and MK parents!

[hannah cottrill · Rating 3 out of 5]

|| 3 ⭐️ ||

Michèle did a great job highlighting the blessings and hardships of growing up an MK, as well as recounting stories that she has gathered from many years of working with TCKs. I appreciate her writing style, which beautifully encompasses the many facets of growing up in a different culture(s) and repatriating.

I found some of the theology in this book to be a bit too wishy-washy. While I realize the MK experience with faith is extremely broad and varied, I believe it’s still important to hold fast to a holistic Scriptural view of God’s character. We cannot soften the edges of His character that we don’t like, are uncomfortable with, or can’t relate to, shaping him into a more suitable God for ourselves in the name of healing. A diluted or partial view of God will never bring true healing, because it paints a picture of a gospel that can never really save. It’s my prayer that every MK would increasingly see God for who He is, because there is truly no better Comforter, Counsellor, Father and Friend than He.

I love being an MK, and I hope that God in His sovereignty would use every experience in my life, good and bad, to reveal Himself to more people and increase His glory on this earth!

[BookBird · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never felt so seen as an MK and TCK as I did reading this book. I read it in one sitting. It was quenching a thirst in my soul that I had tried to move past, because I knew I would face all the emotions all over again. But this time it made the emotions make sense, and it brought immeasurable healing that I never thought I'd experience. I learned a lot of things about myself, some that I wasn't prepared for, but was needed for growth and understanding myself. There are so many things that I have never been able to explain to "outsiders" because I couldn't figure out the right words to get anyone else to understand. This book, it is my avenue for for explaining why I think and react the way I do. I hope every MK and TCK gets the chance to read this wonderful book, and that those close to or interested in getting to know us, reads this treasure.

[Ben Oberholtzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to tell this book came from rich experience, not just of the author but in also talking to many kids that grew up in different cultures. Understanding the different pressures facing kids that grow up in multiple cultures and how they differ from what the parents are going through is a good reminder.

I feel like the discussion of TCK can be expanded to include living in other American cultures that are different from the one you grew up in. I feel many of the lessons could be applied to how I’ve felt growing up in more rural area vs. a more urban lifestyle I live now.

I also appreciated the discussion of operating at the fringes and how it can be a super power for TCKs. Perhaps this is an empowering stance that I haven’t considered in my own life.

Great book!

[Elliott Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was helpful reading her perspective on the hardships and blessings of being an MK. She also gives some helpful ideas on how the missionary parents can prepare their kids for and help them through some of the hardships. She is very open about her experience and shares several interesting, fun, and well-written stories. The theology, though, is pretty bad, driven more by her experience and what she likes to think of God as rather than what the Bible actually says. And she seems to have uncritically accepted secular psychological perspectives on trauma, metal health, processing grief, coping, and sin in the name of holistic care and healing. The local church is mostly overlooked or viewed slightly negatively. And Scripture is not treated as sufficient.

[Arielle McIver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book explaining the realness of the MK/TCK life!!

[J.D. Grubb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise, honest, approachable summation of the nuances of being a "third culture kid". This book should be used as a primer for any serious discussion of the subject.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. Excellent insight into the life of a Third Culture Kid. Recommended reading for anyone who interacts with Third Culture Kids!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal and a must read for all parents of tcks or anyone working or caring for them!