Pants Are Everything

Reach for this book when your middle-schooler feels like every minor social mistake is a life-ending catastrophe. It is the perfect antidote for the 'spotlight effect,' that developmental stage where pre-teens believe the whole world is watching and judging their every move. Michael Swarbrick, a relatable and perpetually embarrassed protagonist, finds himself in a series of increasingly absurd and public humiliations. From a skinny-dipping misunderstanding to becoming an accidental internet sensation, Michael's life is a masterclass in survival through awkwardness. Parents will appreciate how the story uses extreme humor to normalize the very real anxieties of puberty, social media, and peer pressure. It is a lighthearted, fast-paced read that reinforces the idea that while you cannot always control what happens to you, you can survive even the most cringe-worthy moments with your sense of humor intact.