About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is noticing physical differences in others or struggling with the pressure to fit in at school. It is an essential choice for helping children process the discomfort they might feel when encountering someone with a significant physical disability or disfigurement. The story provides a safe space to explore those first reactions of fear and how to move toward genuine empathy. Tom is an ordinary seventh grader who finds his world shifted when Jessica, a girl severely burned in a fire, joins his class. Through Tom's perspective, we see the awkwardness, the cruel whispers of classmates, and the quiet bravery required to simply be a friend. This is a short but emotionally resonant read for ages 8 to 12 that focuses on the internal growth of a witness rather than the tragedy of the victim. It helps parents model how to see the person behind the appearance.
