About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels like a 'double outsider' who struggles to reconcile different parts of their heritage or identity. Johnny Shapiro is a Jewish-Lakota boy who feels he does not fully belong in either world, making him the perfect companion for Rebecca, a girl who is half-human and half-vampire. This darkly humorous and whimsical story uses the lens of urban fantasy to explore the very real pressure of fitting into a new school while carrying the weight of family expectations and cultural history. While the book features vampires and supernatural elements, it is primarily a story about self-acceptance and the bravery required to be your authentic self. It is developmentally appropriate for middle schoolers (ages 10-14) who are beginning to navigate complex social hierarchies and their own unique family backgrounds. Parents will appreciate how it validates the experience of kids who feel 'different' without being overly heavy-handed.
