Middle School Bites

Reach for this book when your child is standing on the precipice of middle school and feeling a mix of dread and 'otherness.' It is the perfect tool for a child who feels like they are physically and socially morphing into someone unrecognizable. The story follows Tom, who is bitten by a bat, a wolf, and a zombie on the same night. While the plot is supernatural, the emotional core is a deeply relatable metaphor for the awkwardness of puberty and the fear of social exile. Parents will appreciate how the story uses humor to de-escalate the high stakes of middle school social hierarchies. It normalizes the feeling of being a 'monster' during the pre-teen years, making it an excellent choice for children ages 8 to 12 who need to laugh at their own anxieties. It offers a safe space to discuss body changes, identity, and finding your 'pack' without the heavy-handedness of a traditional health or advice book.