For the middle schooler navigating tricky friendships and the universal question of belonging, this book explores fitting in and forming your own identity.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is navigating the social minefield of a new school or struggling to find their place among peers. Twelve-year-old Hillary has been homeschooled her whole life as part of her parents' 'experiment.' Now, starting ninth grade in a new town, she's finally allowed to make friends. The book hilariously and heartwarmingly follows her attempts to understand social cues, deal with popular cliques, and figure out what genuine friendship looks like. It gently explores themes of identity, belonging, and the courage it takes to be yourself, making it perfect for kids feeling a little different or awkward.
Features a sweet, innocent first crush and a brief, gentle kiss.
Sensitive Topics
The book's core themes are identity, social isolation, and peer pressure, handled with a direct yet humorous tone. The 'experiment' premise serves as a powerful metaphor for the universal adolescent feeling of being observed and judged. Social cruelty and bullying (mostly relational aggression) are depicted realistically. The resolution is hopeful, with the protagonist finding self-acceptance and genuine friendship. The approach is entirely secular.
Ideal Reader
A child aged 10 to 13 who feels like an outsider, is starting a new school, or is struggling to balance different friend groups. It is especially perfect for an introspective, observant child who feels like they are trying to decode the confusing rules of social interaction.
Parent Prep
No specific preparation is required; the book is very accessible and can be read cold. Parents may want to be ready to discuss topics like relational aggression (how Serena uses friendship as a weapon) and the importance of being kind to people who are different (like Cass). A parent has heard their child say, "I don't have any friends," "I don't fit in," or "Why is everyone so mean?" The child may be expressing anxiety about social situations or struggling to understand why friendships can be so complicated.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will connect with the humor in Hillary's social blunders and the clear distinction between the 'good' friend and the 'mean' one. An older reader (11-13) will appreciate the more nuanced themes: the subtle critique of social hierarchies, the complexity of parental expectations, and the challenge of forming an identity separate from one's family.
What Makes It Special
The unique 'experiment' framework sets this book apart. It externalizes the internal feelings of observation and judgment that are common in middle school, providing a clever and relatable hook. While many books cover friendship triangles, this one's focus on a protagonist who is a true social blank slate gives it a distinct and insightful perspective.
Read plot summary
Twelve-year-old Hillary Siegal has been homeschooled and moved constantly as part of her eccentric parents' lifelong social experiment. When her family settles in Ashwater, California, she is allowed to attend public high school for the first time. The book follows Hillary's fumbling, often humorous, attempts to navigate the complex social world of ninth grade. She is torn between friendship with the popular, manipulative Serena and the quirky, ostracized Cassandra, all while developing a crush on a boy named Harley. Hillary must ultimately decide what kind of person she wants to be, independent of her parents' experiment and the pressures of her peers.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Hillary's parents call her upbringing an 'experiment.' In what ways did this help her, and in what ways did it make starting school harder? Do you think it was fair for them to do that?
2
Hillary is torn between being friends with Serena and being friends with Cass. What did she like about each of them? Why do you think it was so hard for her to choose what to do?
3
At the end of the book, Hillary decides to start her own experiment, 'The Hillary Experiment.' What do you think this new experiment is about? How has she changed from the beginning of the story?
4
Harley tells Hillary, 'I like you weird.' What do you think he means by that, and why is it such an important moment for Hillary?
