About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is starting to value their own cleverness but needs to see how that intelligence balances with empathy and social consequences. It is perfect for the pre-teen who is beginning to notice romantic interests and is grappling with the transition from being the big fish in a small pond to the wider, more complicated world of adolescence. Set in turn of the century Utah, the story follows Tom Fitzgerald, a boy whose legendary great brain is usually focused on making a profit or outsmarting his peers. However, his new crush on Polly Reagan starts to challenge his self centered habits. This is a humorous, nostalgic, and insightful look at the growing pains of a highly capable child. It helps parents discuss the importance of integrity, the weight of reputation, and how to use one's talents for the benefit of others rather than just for personal gain. It is ideal for ages 8 to 12.
