About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is navigating the tricky transition of making a new friend while feeling overshadowed by a more confident older sibling. It is an ideal choice for the child who feels like a 'middle' or 'forgotten' person in the family and needs to see their own social agency modeled on the page. Leona is a relatable protagonist who must learn that a new friendship with her neighbor Ike is hers to nurture, even when her sister Victoria tries to take center stage. The story explores the nuances of loyalty and the courage it takes to establish boundaries with family members. It is a gentle, realistic look at the 8 to 11 year old experience, focusing on the everyday triumphs and small heartbreaks of suburban childhood. Parents will appreciate how it validates a child's need for a private social world and provides a template for navigating the ups and downs of new peer dynamics without adult intervention.
