About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is feeling the weight of 'being good' at school or expresses anxiety that their behavior directly impacts whether a favorite teacher stays or goes. It is a gentle, humorous look at the misconceptions children have about their own power over the adults in their lives. Joey (nicknamed Spider) is convinced that his third-grade teacher, Ms. Mirabella, is retiring because of his class's behavior. The story follows his earnest, often funny attempts to be a perfect student to save her career. It explores themes of empathy, school anxiety, and the transition of saying goodbye. Ideal for early readers aged 7 to 9, it helps children understand that while their actions matter, they aren't responsible for adult life decisions. It is a reassuring choice for kids who worry they are 'too much' for their teachers to handle.
