About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is starting to take on more responsibility, whether through a first summer job, a group project, or a leadership role. This story follows Mary Anne and her friends as they organize a backyard summer camp for local children. While it seems like fun and games at first, Mary Anne must navigate the stress of managing difficult group dynamics, a physical injury, and the personal anxiety of her father being away on business. It is a wonderful choice for the 8 to 12 age range because it validates the 'messy middle' of growing up, showing that you can be a leader even when you feel uncertain. It models how to balance professional duties with personal friendships while emphasizing that asking for help is a sign of strength, not failure.
