
Reach for this book when your child is struggling to adapt to a blended family dynamic or feeling like a social misfit at school. It is an ideal choice for the middle schooler who feels the world is divided into the popular and the invisible, offering a humorous yet poignant look at how two very different teenagers find common ground under one roof. The story follows Stewart, who is socially awkward and intellectually gifted, and Ashley, who is the school's fashion forward 'it girl,' as their parents move in together. Through their dual perspectives, the book explores themes of grief, bullying, and identity. It is a secular and realistic portrayal of modern family life, perfect for normalizing the friction that occurs when two distinct worlds collide. While it tackles heavy topics like the death of a parent and homophobic bullying, the tone remains accessible and ultimately optimistic.
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Sign in to write a reviewOccasional middle school level insults and mild swearing.
Depictions of school bullying, including a physical altercation and a threatening party scene.
Brief mentions of teenage crushes and a father's new partner.
The book addresses the death of a mother (cancer) and a father coming out as gay, which led to the initial divorce. The approach is direct and secular. Bullying is depicted with realistic intensity, including physical threats. The resolution is hopeful and realistic, focusing on small victories in empathy rather than a magical fix to all problems.
A middle schooler who feels like they don't fit into a specific 'clique' or a teen who is angry about a parent's remarriage and needs to see that their frustration is valid but manageable.
Parents should be aware of a scene involving a potential sexual assault/threat at a party that Stewart interrupts. The book can be read cold by most teens, but the bullying subplots might require a check-in. A parent might see their child lashing out at a new step-sibling or expressing deep embarrassment over their family's 'new' identity or a parent's recent lifestyle change.
Younger readers (11-12) will focus on the humor and the 'odd couple' dynamic. Older readers (14-15) will better grasp the nuance of the father's coming-out story and the social hierarchy critique.
Unlike many 'blended family' books that focus on younger kids, this uses dual-perspective narration to perfectly capture the voice of both the 'nerd' and the 'mean girl,' humanizing both archetypes equally.
Stewart Inkster is a 13-year-old genius mourning the loss of his mother. Ashley Tuttle is a 14-year-old social climber reeling from her parents' divorce. When Stewart and his dad move into the basement of Ashley and her mom, the two teens are forced into an uneasy alliance. Stewart is a target for bullies, and Ashley's desire to maintain her status is threatened by her new 'freak' brother, all while a dark secret about her father looms.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.