About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels like their intellect is their superpower but their social life is a puzzle they cannot quite solve. It is perfect for the independent thinker who may struggle with physical expectations or traditional social hierarchies at school. Through the eyes of the brilliant but unathletic Friday Barnes, the story explores themes of loyalty, standing up for the underdog, and the importance of critical thinking over blind rule-following. In this fourth installment, Friday must clear her friend Ian's name while navigating a series of high-stakes school pranks that threaten the peace of Highcrest Academy. While it is a mystery at heart, the real value lies in its celebration of being different. Friday's self-assuredness in her own skin, despite her lack of interest in fitting the 'popular' mold, provides a wonderful model for middle-grade readers finding their own identities. It is intellectually stimulating, witty, and entirely appropriate for the 8 to 12 age range.
