About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager expresses a deep sense of being misunderstood or overlooked within the family dynamic. It is particularly suited for the quiet child who feels like they are running an emotional marathon just to keep up with the expectations of parents and peers. The story follows Danielle, a girl navigating the social and domestic pressures of the late 1970s, as she tries to find her own identity separate from her siblings and her parents' projections. This realistic chapter book explores the nuanced hurdles of adolescence, specifically focusing on the internal 'obstacle course' of building self-confidence and learning to speak up. It is an excellent choice for facilitating conversations about independence and the often invisible labor of being the 'good' child. Parents will appreciate the grounded, historical perspective on family roles and the gentle way it validates a teen's need for personal space and agency.
