The Broken Bike Boy and the Queen of 33rd Street

Reach for this book when your child is struggling with social hierarchies at school, perhaps using bragging or a bossy attitude to mask feelings of insecurity or a desire to fit in. Ten year old Queen thinks she is better than everyone else, but her classmates see her as stuck up and mean. Through her interactions with Leroy, a boy who is poor but has a heart of gold and a colorful imagination, Queen begins to see the value in others and the flaws in her own behavior. This is a story about the masks children wear to protect themselves and the transformative power of genuine kindness. It is a perfect choice for teaching humility and empathy to children ages 8 to 12. It serves as a gentle mirror for children who feel they have to prove their worth through status, helping them understand that being a true friend is more valuable than being a queen.