
Reach for this book when you notice your child is playing it safe to avoid being noticed, or when they are struggling to reconcile their inner vibrant personality with an outer shell of shyness. This moving middle-grade story follows fifth-grader Jillian, a girl who is used to making herself small but is tired of living in the shadows. After the loss of her beloved grandmother, Jillian decides to break out of her comfort zone by entering a mind-bending chicken-hatching competition at school. Through themes of grief, self-discovery, and the courage it takes to be oneself, this book provides a beautiful roadmap for children navigating social anxiety and the transition toward middle school. It is an ideal choice for parents looking to validate a child's quiet nature while encouraging them to find their voice.
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The book deals with the death of a grandparent in a direct but gentle, secular way. The grief is portrayed through memories and the legacy of advice left behind. The resolution is realistic and hopeful, focusing on how love continues to influence us after loss.
A thoughtful 9 or 10-year-old who often feels overlooked or 'too quiet' and is looking for the courage to share their ideas in a classroom setting.
The book can be read cold. Parents should be prepared to discuss the concept of 'imposter syndrome' and the pressure children feel to fit into specific social labels. A parent might see their child sitting alone at a school event, or hear their child say, 'I had the answer but I was too scared to say it.'
Younger readers (ages 8-9) will focus on the excitement of the chick-hatching project and the school competition. Older readers (11-12) will deeply resonate with the internal monologue regarding social anxiety and the fear of social rejection.
Unlike many books about shyness that focus on 'fixing' the child, Collier emphasizes that Jillian's worth isn't tied to being loud, but to being authentic.
Jillian is a quiet fifth-grader who prefers to blend into the background to avoid mistakes or judgment. Following the death of her grandmother, Gram Betty, Jillian discovers a letter that challenges her to stop hiding. She joins the school's Mind Bender competition, centered on hatching chicks, which forces her to work with others, speak up, and take risks. Along the way, she navigates shifting friendships and learns that being 'just right' doesn't mean being perfect.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.