Rivals!

A parent might reach for this book when their child is struggling with jealousy toward a close friend, especially in a competitive situation like sports, school, or the arts. Rivals! follows best friends Chloe and Tara at a performing arts school who are both auditioning for the same lead role. What starts as friendly competition quickly turns into a painful rivalry filled with misunderstandings and hurt feelings. The story directly addresses themes of jealousy, loyalty, and the importance of recognizing one's own unique talents. For ages 8 to 12, it's an excellent tool for normalizing these big, complicated emotions and opening a conversation about how to support friends, even when you're competing against them.