About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is feeling insecure about their identity or is struggling with the pressure to be special or unique in a school setting. As Cody's third-grade class begins a project on the origins of their names, he is horrified to discover that he wasn't named after a hero or a beloved relative, but rather a family dog. This revelation sparks a relatable spiral of embarrassment and self-doubt. Virtual Cody is a gentle, humorous look at the middle-childhood quest for self-definition. It addresses common childhood anxieties like public speaking, peer comparison, and the fear of being ordinary. For a parent, this book is an excellent tool for discussing how our worth is not determined by our labels or origins, but by the person we choose to become. It is perfectly pitched for independent readers in the 7 to 9 age range.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book deals with identity and self-esteem in a secular, realistic manner. The conflict is internal and social rather than tragic. The resolution is hopeful, focusing on self-acceptance and the realization that his parents loved the dog, and they love him too.
