In the Girls Locker Room

Reach for this book when your preteen is suddenly obsessed with what the opposite sex is thinking or when rumors about social standing start causing friction in their friend group. It captures that specific, awkward phase of middle school where the divide between boys and girls feels like a canyon, and the desire to know what is being said behind closed doors leads to risky social choices. Todd Strasser uses humor to navigate themes of peer pressure, privacy, and the fragile ego of young boys. While the plot involves a caper to steal a secret notebook, the heart of the story is about the realization that everyone, regardless of gender, feels vulnerable and judged. It is an excellent choice for a child who needs to see the hilarity and the humanity in the often-stressful social hierarchy of school.