Charming as a Verb

A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with the overwhelming pressure of college applications or feels they must wear a mask of perfection to succeed. Henri Haltiwanger is a charming, high-achieving Haitian-American teen who manages a dog-walking business while aiming for Columbia University. However, his carefully constructed persona starts to crack when a classmate discovers his secrets and blackmails him into helping her social standing. This witty contemporary novel explores the heavy toll of code-switching, the ethics of ambition, and the vulnerability required to be truly known. It is highly appropriate for high schoolers navigating the intersection of cultural identity, financial anxiety, and the ethical gray areas of growing up.