MapHead

Reach for this book when your child feels like they are from another planet, struggling to find their footing in a new school or social circle. It is a perfect choice for the pre-teen who feels deeply misunderstood or is grappling with a sense of 'otherness.' The story follows MapHead, a boy from an alternative dimension who can project maps onto his skin, as he tries to navigate the bizarre rules of a British school while searching for the human mother he has never met. Through a blend of science fiction and realistic school drama, the book explores themes of identity, the complexity of family, and the search for belonging. It is gentle enough for middle-grade readers but offers significant emotional depth regarding the longing for a parent. Parents will appreciate how it validates the 'weirdness' of puberty by literalizing it through MapHead's supernatural differences, making it a supportive read for any child who feels they don't quite fit the mold.