House Party

Reach for this book when your preteen is starting to value social status over house rules, or when they are first navigating the responsibilities of being home alone. It provides a lighthearted but cautionary look at what happens when the desire to be 'cool' leads to poor decision-making and a loss of control. The story follows Alex Russo, a teen with magical powers, who throws a forbidden party while her parents are away, only to have it spiral out of wizardly proportions. While the setting is fantastical, the emotional core is deeply realistic, touching on the anxiety of peer pressure and the weight of sibling secrets. It is a perfect choice for kids aged 8 to 12 who enjoy humor and magic but are also beginning to deal with real-world dilemmas regarding honesty and integrity. Parents will appreciate the way it models the consequences of breaking trust and the necessity of making things right.