About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is facing the sting of a 'friendship shift' or dealing with a new peer who seems to be rewriting the social rules. This story follows Allie Finkle as she navigates the arrival of a sophisticated new student who begins to distance Allie from her best friend. It perfectly captures the specific anxiety of being replaced and the pressure to change yourself to fit in. Meg Cabot captures the voice of a fourth grader with humor and high emotional intelligence. This book normalizes the messy feelings of jealousy and social rejection while offering a roadmap for standing your ground. It is an ideal choice for elementary schoolers who are starting to experience more complex group dynamics and need to know that their true friends will value them for who they are.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with social exclusion and peer pressure. The approach is direct and secular. The resolution is realistic: Allie learns she cannot control others, but she can control her own reactions and maintain her integrity.
