Miss Alaineus

Reach for this book when your child has suffered a public 'fail' or a misunderstanding that feels like the end of the world. It speaks directly to the crushing weight of embarrassment and the path toward reclaiming one's confidence through humor. Sage, a fifth grader, mistakes the word 'miscellaneous' for a person named 'Miss Alaineus' during a high-stakes spelling test, leading to a viral classroom moment she would rather forget. This story is an excellent choice for children ages 7 to 10 because it validates the intensity of social shame while modeling how to pivot that energy into creativity and resilience. Parents will appreciate how the book celebrates vocabulary and intellect as tools for self-expression, ultimately showing that a mistake is just an opportunity for a really great costume.