The Absolute Value of Mike

Reach for this book when your child feels like they are failing to live up to a specific family legacy or academic standard. It is a perfect choice for the 'square peg' child who feels overshadowed by a parent's success and struggles with the shame of learning differently. The story follows fourteen year old Mike, whose dyscalculia makes him feel like a disappointment to his genius mathematician father, as he finds his own worth through engineering and community service in a quirky rural town. This middle grade novel tackles heavy themes of identity, grief, and parental expectations with a refreshing dose of humor and heart. It is appropriate for ages 10 to 14, providing a roadmap for kids to define success on their own terms. Parents will appreciate how it validates the frustration of neurodivergence while celebrating the 'absolute value' of a person's character over their test scores.