A parent might reach for this book when their child is navigating the confusing, exciting, and sometimes friendship-straining experience of a first crush. Cassie's Crush gently explores this common rite of passage. The story follows Cassie as she develops feelings for a new boy at school, which inadvertently causes a rift with her best friend who feels left out. It's a sweet and realistic look at the emotional whirlwind of new attractions, jealousy, and the importance of maintaining friendships. Ideal for ages 8 to 12, this book provides a safe, relatable narrative that normalizes these big feelings and can open up conversations about balancing old friends with new interests.
The core topic is early romantic feelings. The approach is direct but very gentle and age-appropriate, focusing on the emotional and social aspects rather than physical ones. The conflict is rooted in friendship dynamics. The resolution is hopeful and realistic, emphasizing personal growth and friendship repair over the outcome of the crush itself.
Ideal Reader
An 8-to-11-year-old who is just beginning to encounter the concept of crushes, either personally or within their friend group. This book is perfect for a child who feels a little overwhelmed or confused by these new social dynamics and needs a story that validates their feelings while gently guiding them through the potential friendship pitfalls.
Parent Prep
No preparation is needed; the book can be read cold. It's a very straightforward and gentle story. Parents might want to be ready for conversations about jealousy, how to be a good friend even when you're excited about something new, and the fact that having a crush is a normal part of growing up. A parent notices their child seems sad after a fight with their best friend, and the conflict seems to revolve around a new boy or girl. Or, a child comes home and mentions having a "crush" for the first time, seeming both excited and embarrassed.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will likely focus on the friendship story: the injustice of Miranda being left out and the relief when they make up. An older reader (10-12) will connect more with Cassie's internal emotional state: the embarrassment, the 'buzzy' feeling of the crush, and the complexity of trying to make everyone happy.
What Makes It Special
While many books cover first crushes, this one's primary focus is not the romance itself, but the collateral impact of the crush on a core, non-romantic friendship. It uses the crush as a catalyst to explore themes of loyalty, communication, and jealousy between best friends, which is a highly relatable and important angle for this age group.
Read plot summary
Cassie develops her first real crush on Sam, a new boy in her class. Her single-minded focus on him makes her best friend, Miranda, feel ignored and jealous, leading to a significant fight and a temporary friendship breakup. The narrative follows Cassie as she navigates her fluttery feelings for Sam, the social awkwardness of school life, and the painful rift with Miranda. Ultimately, Cassie learns an important lesson about balancing her feelings and prioritizing the friendships that matter most.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
When Cassie starts liking Sam, her best friend Miranda feels left out. Have you ever felt like Miranda? What could Cassie have done differently to make her friend feel more included?
2
Cassie feels really embarrassed when her dad tries to talk to Sam. Why do you think kids sometimes feel embarrassed by their parents? What would you have done?
3
At the end of the book, Cassie realizes her friendship with Miranda is the most important thing. Do you think it's possible to have a crush and still be a great best friend at the same time? How?
4
The book describes having a crush as a 'buzzy, fizzy' feeling. What are some other feelings Cassie experiences in the story, like when she's fighting with Miranda or worrying about Sam?
