Arthur and the Popularity Test

Reach for this book when you notice your child beginning to compare themselves to peers or obsessing over social hierarchies at school. It is an ideal resource for the transitional period when children start looking toward 'older' trends or media to define what is cool, often losing their unique spark in the process. In this story, Fern and Sue Ellen take a magazine quiz that suggests they are 'boring,' leading them to adopt performative personalities that alienate their real friends. The book gently explores themes of self-confidence, identity, and the superficiality of popularity. It is perfectly pitched for elementary students (ages 6 to 9) who are navigating the shift from play-based friendships to more complex social dynamics. Parents will appreciate how it models the value of being true to oneself and shows that genuine friends value us for our quirks, not our scores on a quiz.