About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle schooler feels they are outgrowing their social role or struggling with the pressure to be the funny kid or the quiet kid. It addresses the specific emotional shift that happens when childhood antics stop being charming and start feeling isolating. The story follows Emmie and Joe on a school camping trip as they navigate shifting friendships, social anxiety, and the vulnerability of being their true selves. Libenson uses a mix of traditional prose and graphic novel panels to explore themes of belonging and empathy. It is perfect for children ages 8 to 12 who are navigating the complex transition from elementary to middle school. Parents will appreciate the way it models how to handle social rejection and the courage required to forge new, more authentic connections outside of established cliques.
