Jack Adrift: Fourth Grade Without a Clue

Reach for this book when your child is feeling like an outsider or struggling to find their place after a major family transition. This semi-autobiographical novel captures the awkward, often hilarious reality of moving to a new town where the rules are different and the family dynamic is shifting. Through the eyes of Jack Gantos, we see a middle-schooler navigating a 'navy brat' life in Cape Canaveral during the 1960s. Parents will appreciate how Gantos uses humor to address the genuine anxiety of wanting to be 'cool' while dealing with eccentric parents and a series of social mishaps. It is an excellent choice for normalizing the feeling of being a 'fish out of water' and for encouraging kids to find their own voice through writing and storytelling. The story is grounded, realistic, and deeply relatable for any child who has ever felt like the odd one out.