The Bad Dreams of a Good Girl

Lotty is the only daughter in a family of three boisterous brothers. She is known for being 'good,' but she struggles with the reality of that label. The book follows her through various episodic challenges: dealing with the 'I Hate Lotty' club started by a classmate, navigating a difficult relationship with a new girl named Sophie, and managing her fears about her mother returning to work. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book handles anxiety and social bullying in a very direct, secular, and realistic manner. The resolution is hopeful but grounded: Lotty doesn't fix every problem perfectly, but she learns to manage her responses to them. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story starts with a sense of isolation and internal pressure. As Lotty begins to voice her anxieties and confront her peers, the tone shifts from heavy and secretive to more empowered and open. IDEAL READER: An 8 to 10 year old girl who is perhaps the 'easy' child in the family and may feel overlooked or pressured to maintain a certain image while navigating the first real stings of social exclusion at school. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might reach for this after seeing their child come home upset because a group of friends has suddenly turned on them, or if they notice their child is becoming an 'anxious overachiever.' PARENT PREP: The book is safe to read cold, though parents should be prepared to discuss the 'I Hate Lotty' club, as it mirrors real world relational aggression that can be quite painful for children. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers will identify with the sibling squabbles and the fear of the 'mean girls,' while older readers will better appreciate Lotty's internal struggle with her 'good girl' identity and the nuance of her guilt. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many books that focus on 'problem' children, this focuses on the 'good' child, highlighting that they, too, have a complex and sometimes dark inner life that needs nurturing.

This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.