Ninja Switch!

Reach for this book when your child is facing a high stakes school event and is paralyzed by the fear of looking foolish or failing to meet expectations. It is a perfect choice for the young perfectionist who equates their self worth with their performance. The story follows Nelson, a boy who usually feels like a nerd but discovers he has secret ninja powers. When a technical glitch swaps his abilities with those of his grandmother right before the school athletics carnival, he must learn to navigate a public event while feeling physically and socially vulnerable. It is a high energy, humorous read for ages 7 to 10 that brilliantly normalizes the experience of feeling out of place. Parents will appreciate how it uses a silly, fantastical premise to tackle the very real anxiety of 'messing up' in front of peers, ultimately emphasizing that resilience and a sense of humor are more important than being the fastest or strongest.