About This Book
Reach for this book if your child is navigating the complex social hierarchies of middle elementary school or if you suspect they are witnessing someone being treated unfairly. It provides a raw, honest look at how children perceive those who look or act differently, following Jenny as she moves from judging her new classmate, Elsie, to understanding the painful reality of Elsie's home life. The story tackles difficult themes like childhood obesity, parental neglect, and the pressure to conform with surprising depth. It is a vital tool for parents who want to move beyond simple kindness and help their child develop the emotional intelligence to look beneath the surface of a person's behavior. While written in the 1980s, the school dynamics and the desire to belong remain timelessly relatable for 8 to 12 year olds.
