About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is starting to encounter practical jokes or peer pressure at school and needs to understand where 'fun' ends and 'hurt' begins. It is an ideal choice for the child who is naturally kind but finds themselves caught in the middle of classroom social dynamics and tricky friendships. Through the eyes of a sensitive narrator, the story follows a class field trip where a prank involving a 'Leech Man' goes a step too far, leading to feelings of embarrassment and the need for a genuine apology. Suzy Kline masterfully captures the nuances of second-grade life, making this a perfect bridge for early readers. It explores themes of loyalty, the courage to stand up for others, and the importance of forgiving friends who make mistakes. Parents will appreciate how it models emotional intelligence and social responsibility without being preachy, providing a safe space to discuss how our actions affect those around us.
