Claudia Makes Up Her Mind

Reach for this book when your child is starting to feel the pressure of shifting social groups or is struggling to stay loyal to old friends while being wooed by a 'cooler' crowd. It addresses the specific anxiety of wanting to belong while fearing the loss of one's true identity. In this story, Claudia Kishi is invited to join a new, seemingly sophisticated club that excludes her best friends in the Baby-Sitters Club. As she navigates the thrill of being chosen versus the reality of her new friends' unkind behavior, she must decide what real friendship looks like. It is a perfect choice for middle-schoolers navigating the complexities of peer pressure and personal integrity. Parents will appreciate how it models the difficult process of admitting a mistake and returning to those who truly value you.