How Angel Peterson Got His Name

Reach for this book when your child is pushing boundaries, taking physical risks, or feeling the sting of a public failure. It is the perfect antidote to the pressure of perfection, showing that even the most 'legendary' mistakes become the stories we cherish most. Gary Paulsen recounts his 1950s childhood through a series of hilarious, hair-raising memoirs about his friends attempting some of the world's first, and most poorly planned, extreme sports. While the boys' antics involve wrestling bears and jumping barrels on bikes, the heart of the book lies in the bond of brotherhood and the resilience found in surviving one's own poor judgment. It is an ideal pick for reluctant readers who need humor and high stakes to stay engaged. Parents will appreciate the way it validates the messy, impulsive reality of growing up while celebrating the courage it takes to get back up after a fall.