About This Book
Reach for this book when your daughter starts asking for deodorant, feels self-conscious about her changing body, or seems overwhelmed by the shift from childhood to the pre-teen years. It is a gentle and normalizing guide for the 'tween' transition, focusing on nine-year-old Abby as she navigates physical changes, a best friend moving away, and a new awareness of social issues like homelessness. This story validates the discomfort of being 'in-between' while offering a comforting perspective on growing up. It is an ideal bridge for the middle-grade reader who is ready for more mature themes but still needs the safety of a relatable, age-appropriate protagonist. Parents will appreciate how it models open communication and empathy during a sensitive developmental stage.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book addresses puberty and homelessness directly but with a gentle, secular approach. Body changes are handled with factual honesty and relatable embarrassment. The depiction of homelessness is realistic and empathetic, focusing on Abby's realization that people in her town are struggling.
