Absolutely Almost

Albie is a ten year old boy who has spent his life being almost. He is almost smart enough for the gifted program, almost good at sports, and almost what his high achieving parents want him to be. When he is asked to leave his private school due to poor performance, he starts at a local public school and meets Calista, a creative and compassionate nanny. Through their relationship and his struggles with a former best friend, Albie begins to define success on his own terms. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book depicts emotional neglect and parental pressure that may be difficult for some children. There is also a subplot involving a character being bullied for having a mother who is in prison. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story begins with a heavy sense of inadequacy and quiet sadness. It maintains a gentle, realistic pace as Albie experiences small setbacks and small victories. It concludes on a profoundly hopeful note, not by making Albie a superstar, but by validating his inherent worth. IDEAL READER: A 9 to 11 year old child who feels like the underdog in their own life. It is perfect for the student who works hard but still struggles with grades, or the child who feels like they are constantly being compared to a high achieving sibling or friend. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might reach for this after hearing their child say, I am just not good at anything, or after a discouraging parent teacher conference where the focus was solely on what the child cannot do. PARENT PREP: Parents should be aware that Albie's father expresses disappointment in Albie's academic performance and pushes him to achieve more. This might lead to conversations about parental expectations and how to handle feeling pressured by parents. AGE EXPERIENCE: An 8 year old will focus on the friendship drama and the fun activities Albie does with Calista. An 11 or 12 year old will more deeply feel the internal pressure Albie faces and the nuanced realization that being kind is as valuable as being smart. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many middle grade novels where the protagonist eventually discovers a hidden, world class talent, Albie remains average at academic and physical tasks. The book is unique because it celebrates being a good, kind person as a legitimate and sufficient talent. """