For the child learning not to judge others, this story explores how an unlikely partnership in a school contest uncovers a dangerous secret, teaching empathy and the power of true friendship.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is navigating difficult social hierarchies or learning to look past surface-level judgments of their peers. Set in a seventh-grade English class, the story follows Jessica, who is horrified to be partnered with Daphne, the class outcast, for a book-writing contest. As they are forced to work together, Jessica discovers that behind Daphne's strange appearance is a talented artist and a girl hiding a terrible secret of abuse and neglect at home. This powerful novel explores themes of empathy, the complexity of true friendship, and the moral courage required to help someone, even if it means breaking their trust. It's a compelling choice for opening conversations about serious issues like bullying, neglect, and the responsibility to speak up for others.
Physical abuse is a key theme and is described (bruises are seen), but it does not occur on-page.
Scary ScenesMild
Tense scenes involving the abusive father and Jessica's fear of what might happen to Daphne.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly and realistically with child neglect and physical/emotional abuse. The approach is secular. Details are not graphic, but the conditions of the home and the evidence of abuse (bruises, fear) are described clearly, making the danger feel real and immediate. The resolution is hopeful but realistic: Daphne and her sister are placed in foster care, a solution presented as necessary and safer, though it involves the trauma of family separation.
Ideal Reader
An ideal reader is a child aged 10-12 who is beginning to understand complex social and moral situations. It is particularly suited for an empathetic child who has questions about why some kids are treated as outcasts or for a child who needs to develop more compassion for those who are different. It’s a book for a reader ready to move beyond simple friendship stories to those with higher stakes.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared to discuss child abuse, neglect, and hoarding. Key scenes to preview are Chapter 14, Jessica's visit to Daphne's squalid home, and Chapter 17, where Daphne describes her father's abuse. The book can be read cold, but the topics are serious and will likely prompt questions that require thoughtful, honest answers. A parent might seek this book after their child expresses judgment about a "weird" classmate or, conversely, comes home worried about a friend who seems sad, withdrawn, or has a difficult home life. It is the perfect book for when a parent wants to start a conversation about what to do when you know a friend is in real trouble.
Age Experience
A 9 or 10-year-old will likely focus on the friendship, the mystery, and the clear injustice of Daphne's situation. An 11 or 12-year-old will better appreciate the nuances of Jessica's moral dilemma, the failure of the adults in Daphne's life, and the bittersweet nature of the foster care resolution.
What Makes It Special
What makes this book unique is its use of a story-within-a-story. The fantasy book the girls write together acts as a powerful metaphor for Daphne's real-life trauma, allowing her to process and communicate her experience in a safe way. This literary device adds a layer of depth uncommon in many books that tackle similar themes.
Read plot summary
Jessica, a popular seventh grader, is dismayed when she is assigned to work with Daphne, the school pariah, for the annual "Write-A-Book" contest. As they collaborate on a fantasy story, Jessica begins to see past Daphne's unkempt appearance and discovers a brilliant, creative girl. Their growing friendship leads Jessica to uncover a dark secret: Daphne and her younger sister, Hope, are being severely neglected by their hoarder grandmother and abused by their intermittently present father. The central conflict revolves around Jessica's moral dilemma of whether to keep Daphne's secret as promised or to tell an adult and get her the help she desperately needs.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
At the start of the book, Jessica is mean to Daphne along with her friends. Why do you think she acted that way, even when she felt it was wrong?
2
Daphne and Jessica write a fantasy story about two princesses trapped by a magician. How did this story help Daphne tell Jessica the truth about her own life?
3
Jessica makes a promise to Daphne not to tell anyone her secret. Was it right for Jessica to break that promise? When is it okay to break a promise to help someone?
4
At the end of the story, Daphne is in a foster home. The author describes this as a happy ending, but it's also sad. In what ways is it a happy ending, and in what ways is it sad?
5
Why do you think it was so hard for Daphne to ask an adult for help? What are some of the signs that might tell you a friend needs help, even if they don't ask for it?
