Otis Spofford

A parent might reach for this book when their child is struggling with impulse control, acting out for attention, or having trouble understanding how their actions affect others. Otis Spofford is a classic troublemaker, a boy whose desire to make life more exciting often leads to pranks that annoy his classmates and teacher. The story humorously follows his antics, which escalate until one prank goes too far, deeply hurting a classmate and forcing Otis to confront genuine guilt and social isolation for the first time. It's a wonderful, funny, and empathetic look at the reasons behind misbehavior and the difficult but necessary process of learning empathy, taking responsibility, and understanding the real cost of a joke.