About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is going through a phase of testing boundaries, dealing with pesky siblings, or simply needs an outlet for their love of the weird and the wacky. Paul Jennings is a master of the twist ending, and this collection of short stories uses absurdist humor to explore very real feelings of embarrassment, justice, and the desire to be noticed. It is an excellent choice for reluctant readers who prefer quick, high-impact narratives over long, descriptive novels. The stories navigate the fine line between spooky and silly, making it ideal for the middle-grade window of ages 8 to 12. While the situations are often bizarre (involving everything from strange bugs to ghostly encounters), the emotional core usually centers on a child trying to make sense of a world that feels unfair or out of their control. Parents will appreciate how the humor masks meaningful explorations of bravery and the consequences of one's choices, all wrapped in a fast-paced, entertaining package.
