Character, Driven

Reach for this book when your teenage son is grappling with the awkward, high-pressure transition of his senior year and seems overwhelmed by expectations of masculinity and 'coolness.' It follows Cliff, a teenager trying to navigate the final months of high school while dealing with a complex home life and the desire to finally connect with a girl he likes. The story masterfully handles themes of self-identity, social anxiety, and the internal monologue of a young man trying to figure out who he is supposed to be. Parents will appreciate the book's honesty and humor, making it an excellent bridge for discussing the pressures of growing up and the reality that everyone feels like an outsider sometimes. It is a grounded, realistic look at the teenage experience that normalizes the messy feelings of late adolescence.