About This Book
Reach for this book when your child starts comparing your home life to the polished, seemingly perfect lives of their friends. It is a vital tool for the middle schooler who feels a sense of 'family shame' or social embarrassment regarding their own chaotic household. The story follows twelve-year-old Harris Harper, who is so enamored with the wealthy and refined Benya family that he begins to view his own messy, loud relatives as a burden. However, when a crisis involving the young Benya child occurs under his watch, Harris is forced to see the cracks in the Benyas' facade and the hidden strength in his own family's bond. This realistic fiction novel expertly navigates themes of jealousy, social class, and the realization that appearances are often deceiving. It is perfectly pitched for ages 8 to 12, offering a humorous yet touching look at the universal desire to belong somewhere 'better.' Parents will appreciate how it validates the awkwardness of growing up while gently steering children toward gratitude and a deeper understanding of what makes a family truly functional.
