Rebel McKenzie

Reach for this book when your child feels like their interests don't align with their peers or when they are struggling to navigate social expectations. Rebel McKenzie is a science-obsessed girl who enters a local beauty pageant, not for the crown, but to fund her dream of attending a paleontology camp. It is a refreshing look at staying true to oneself while learning that people are often more complex than their outward appearances suggest. Through humor and heart, the story explores the tension between being who you are and doing what is necessary to achieve a goal. Parents will appreciate the way it validates intellectual curiosity in girls and handles financial constraints with honesty. It is an excellent choice for 8 to 12 year olds who feel like a 'fish out of water' or who are learning to balance their unique passions with the desire to belong.