Handles

Name: Handles
ISBN: 9780670805365

For the child who feels like an outsider in their own family and is searching for a place where their unique interests are finally understood.

Find on Bookshop.org Find on Amazon Save

About This Book

Reach for this book when your child feels like a 'square peg' in a family of 'round holes,' especially if they have a technical or niche hobby that others dismiss. It is a refreshing story for the middle-schooler who feels misunderstood by their relatives and craves a community where their specific talents can shine. Erica is a city girl obsessed with motorcycles, stuck in the countryside with relatives who value traditional domesticity. Her discovery of a local repair shop provides a masterclass in finding one's tribe. This Carnegie Medal winner celebrates the intersection of engineering and identity with a dry, sophisticated humor. It is perfect for ages 10 to 14, normalizing the desire for independence and the joy of finding a place where you truly belong.

Loneliness & Belonging Being Different Vehicles & Machines Self-Confidence & Identity Growing Up Building & Engineering Freedom & Independence Discovering a Talent

What Parents Should Know

Moral AmbiguityMild

Erica frequently sneaks away and hides her activities from her relatives.

Sensitive Topics

The book deals with social alienation and the 'mean-mindedness' of family members in a realistic, secular manner. There is no major trauma, only the low-level friction of being misunderstood. The resolution is hopeful and empowering, as Erica gains self-validation through her skills.