Don't Bug Me!

Reach for this book when your child is facing a looming school deadline or feeling paralyzed by a project that seems too big to handle. Sixth grader Megan is tasked with a daunting science assignment: she must find and collect twenty-five different bugs. What follows is a relatable and funny journey through the highs and lows of academic pressure, social embarrassment, and the grit required to see a difficult task through to the end. It is an excellent choice for normalizing the 'Sunday night scaries' and showing kids that even messy, bug-filled problems can be solved one step at a time. While the story centers on a science project, its true heart lies in the emotional resilience required for middle school. Megan deals with the typical anxieties of her age group, from wanting to fit in to managing the expectations of teachers and parents. This book provides a lighthearted way to discuss time management and perseverance without being preachy, making it a perfect match for any child in the 8 to 12 age range who needs a laugh and a little bit of encouragement.