About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle-schooler is struggling with the unspoken rules of popularity or feels like they need a roadmap to navigate complicated social cliques. It is a perfect choice for a child who feels like an outsider or, conversely, one who tries too hard to control their social environment through 'fixing' others. The story follows Lara Zany, a self-appointed friendship expert who thinks she has social dynamics down to a science. When a new student arrives and challenges her methods, Lara must confront the reality that genuine connection cannot be engineered or forced. It is a lighthearted yet insightful look at identity, the pressure to fit in, and the value of being true to oneself. It helps children realize that friendship is about chemistry and shared values, not social status.
