For the child encountering unfairness or deceit in relationships, this story offers a poignant look at finding resilience and unexpected allies in tricky situations.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is dealing with a difficult, unfair relationship with another child, especially one who seems charming to adults. Eight-year-old Cora is sent to stay with neighbors when her mother has to leave town. She is immediately tormented by the neighbor's daughter, Angelica, a manipulative liar who adults see as perfect. This story validates the frustrating and lonely experience of being disbelieved. It gently explores themes of resilience, fairness, and finding allies in unexpected places. For ages 7 to 10, Humbug is a powerful choice for normalizing a child's feelings of injustice and opening a conversation about how to navigate complex and deceitful behavior from peers.
The book's central theme is psychological bullying and gaslighting by a peer. The approach is direct and realistic, focusing on Cora's internal experience of confusion and injustice. It is handled from a secular viewpoint. The resolution is hopeful and empowering: Cora finds her voice and the truth is revealed, but Angelica's behavior is portrayed as a complex issue, not something that is magically fixed. It’s a realistic, not a fairytale, ending.
Ideal Reader
An 8-10 year old child who is feeling misunderstood by adults or dealing with a "frenemy" dynamic. This is for the child who has tried to explain a situation but has been told they are exaggerating or that "she seems so nice." It will deeply resonate with sensitive children who have a strong sense of fairness.
Parent Prep
No specific prep is needed; it can be read cold. However, parents should be prepared to discuss the topic of adults being wrong or deceived. The scenes where Aunt Sunday dismisses Cora's valid complaints might be difficult, and a parent should be ready to pause and say, "That sounds so frustrating for Cora. Why do you think Aunt Sunday didn't believe her?" A parent has just heard their child say, "But she's only mean when you're not looking!" or "You never believe me!" The child is feeling invalidated and is questioning their own perception of events because an adult they trust isn't seeing the full picture.
Age Experience
A younger reader (7-8) will connect strongly with the clear injustice of the situation and will root for Cora against the "bad guy," Angelica. They will appreciate the simple victory of Cora being believed. An older reader (9-10) will grasp the more complex psychological layers: Aunt Sunday's willful blindness, the quiet power of Ma, and the moral gray area of Cora telling a "good" lie at the end to protect her friend.
What Makes It Special
This book's power lies in its domestic setting. Unlike school-based bullying stories, the conflict here is intimate and inescapable. It brilliantly captures the specific, maddening feeling of being gaslit by another child in a home environment. The choice of an elderly, physically frail character as the key ally is unique and teaches that strength and wisdom come in many forms.
Read plot summary
When her mother is called away to care for a sick relative, eight-year-old Cora stays next door with the seemingly kind Aunt Sunday and her daughter, Angelica. Angelica is a cruel, manipulative bully who torments Cora in private while maintaining a perfect facade for her mother. Isolated and disbelieved, Cora's frustration grows. She finds an unexpected ally in Angelica's bedridden great-grandmother, Ma, a sharp and observant woman who sees the truth and helps Cora find the strength to stand up for herself.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Aunt Sunday found it very hard to believe that her daughter Angelica was telling lies. Why do you think it was so difficult for her to see the truth?
2
Ma was not able to leave her bed, but she was the one who helped Cora the most. What are some of the ways she helped Cora without ever leaving her room?
3
At the very end of the story, Cora tells a lie (a 'humbug') to protect Ma's secret about the marbles. Do you think this lie was different from the lies Angelica told? Why or why not?
4
Angelica seems to get away with her behavior for a long time. If you were Cora's friend, what advice would you have given her?
