About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is obsessively counting down the days to their next milestone birthday or feels like their life is on hold until they gain more independence. It is a perfect choice for the pre-teen who believes that a cell phone, makeup, or staying home alone will magically transform their existence into something more glamorous or exciting. The story follows Rory Swenson as she turns twelve and finally gets to do everything on her long-awaited list, only to find that each new freedom comes with unexpected (and often hilarious) complications. Through Rory's mishaps, the book explores the gap between expectation and reality. It gently validates the yearning for independence while modeling how to handle the embarrassing stumbles that come with growing up. Parents will appreciate the way it frames responsibility not as a burden, but as a natural, sometimes messy part of maturing.
