About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is facing the typical social anxieties of being the new kid or is struggling with a playground rivalry that has spiraled out of control. It offers a relatable, humorous look at how insecurities can lead to poor choices and how those choices impact others. Lisa is a new student who finds herself in a pranking war with a bossy classmate named Marci, using the class pets as pawns. Parents will appreciate how the story uses these lighthearted pranks to explore deeper themes of accountability and the pressure to fit in. It is an ideal bridge for early chapter book readers, providing a safe space to discuss classroom dynamics and the importance of honesty without being overly heavy-handed. By the end, children see a realistic model of how to own up to mistakes and start fresh with peers.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book is secular and realistic. It deals with social exclusion and classroom power dynamics in a direct, age-appropriate manner. There are no major traumas, but the stress of being 'the new kid' is treated with sincerity.
