About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is feeling the sting of a best friend drifting away or finding new interests that they do not share. It is a perfect fit for the middle grade transition where childhood 'secret worlds' begin to collide with the pressure to fit in at school. The story follows Betsy and her best friend, Maya, who have shared a private, invented language for years. As Maya starts wanting to be 'normal' and hang out with the cool girls, Betsy is left clinging to their unique bond. It gently explores themes of loyalty, the fear of being left behind, and the courage it takes to be your authentic self. It is a deeply relatable, age-appropriate look at the evolving nature of pre-teen friendships.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with the 'death' of a friendship and the extinction of indigenous languages. The approach is realistic and secular. While there is no physical tragedy, the emotional weight of being social replaced is handled with significant gravity. The resolution is hopeful but realistic: it doesn't force the old friendship back together, but shows Betsy finding her own voice.
