About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is navigating the social hurdles of a new school year or feeling like the odd one out in their peer group. It is a perfect pick for children who are beginning to notice the social hierarchy of the classroom and need a lighthearted way to process the concept of being different. Through the lens of a possible alien encounter, the story explores how we treat strangers and the courage it takes to be kind to someone others might find weird. In this installment of the Marvin Redpost series, Marvin is convinced he has seen a UFO. When a strange new student named Joe arrives shortly after, Marvin is forced to decide between following the crowd or following his instincts about friendship. This chapter book is approachable for early readers, using Louis Sachar's signature humor to tackle the very real anxieties of third-grade life. It is an excellent tool for normalizing the feeling of being an outsider while encouraging empathy and open-mindedness.
