About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their middle schooler begins expressing curiosity about the 'grown-up' world of dating, marriage, and the long-term consequences of relationships. It is a perfect choice for the child who is caught between the playfulness of childhood and the serious social pressures of adolescence. The story follows Alice McKinley as she navigates an eighth-grade health project that requires her to 'marry' a classmate and plan a life together on a budget. Through this academic exercise, Alice begins to contrast the romanticized fantasy of weddings with the gritty, complicated realities of the adults in her life. It is an honest, humorous, and grounded exploration of what it actually means to grow up and take responsibility for one's choices. Parents will appreciate how it deconstructs the 'happily ever after' myth while remaining age-appropriate for the 10 to 14 range.
