The Other Normals

Reach for this book when your teenager feels like their intense niche interests are a barrier to fitting in or when they struggle with the pressure to be traditionally outdoorsy and social. It follows Perry, a fifteen year old who is much more comfortable with the rulebooks of his favorite tabletop RPG than he is at the rugged summer camp where his parents have sent him. When he discovers that the fantasy world from his games is actually a real place, he finds that the very traits that made him an outcast at home are the keys to becoming a hero. This is a humorous and validating read for any child who feels like a square peg in a round hole. While it features some mild teen language and romance, the core message is a powerful endorsement of self acceptance and the idea that being a geek is actually a survival skill. It is a fantastic tool for opening conversations about how our perceived weaknesses can become our greatest strengths in the right environment.