Earthling!

Reach for this book when your child is feeling like the odd one out at a new school or struggling to find their tribe in an unfamiliar environment. It is a perfect choice for the middle-grade reader who uses humor to mask their anxieties about fitting in. The story follows Bud, an average kid who accidentally ends up at a school for aliens on another planet where humans are feared as monsters. While the setting is fantastical, the emotional core is deeply relatable: Bud must navigate confusing social rules, avoid 'bullies' who look like giant insects, and find friends who value him for who he is. It is an excellent tool for normalizing the 'imposter syndrome' many children feel. The graphic novel format makes it accessible and fast-paced, offering a safe, humorous lens through which to discuss bravery and identity.