Then Again, Maybe I Won't

Reach for this book when your middle schooler is starting to internalize stress or showing signs of physical anxiety as they navigate the confusing shift into puberty. This Judy Blume classic explores the inner life of thirteen-year-old Tony Miglione, whose world is turned upside down when his family suddenly moves from a working-class neighborhood to a wealthy suburb. Beyond the external changes, Tony is grappling with the awkwardness of new physical urges and a growing moral dilemma involving a friend's behavior. It is an essential choice for parents looking to normalize the 'quiet' anxieties of growing up, specifically the connection between emotional stress and physical health. This story provides a safe space to discuss integrity, class differences, and the often-unspoken questions boys have about their changing bodies during the early teen years.