Who Was That Masked Man, Anyway?

Reach for this book when your child seems to live more in their imagination than in reality, especially if they use stories or play to avoid things that feel scary or overwhelming. Set in 1943, it captures the life of Frankie Wattleson, a boy so obsessed with radio superheroes that he views his everyday life through a lens of dramatic scripts and secret missions. While the world around him is burdened by the heavy realities of World War II, Frankie's escapades provide a humorous but poignant look at how children cope with anxiety and the pressure to grow up. This is a fantastic choice for kids who feel like 'square pegs' in the rigid structures of school or home. Through Avi's unique storytelling style, parents can open a dialogue about the difference between healthy imagination and avoiding responsibility. It is a lighthearted yet deeply empathetic look at the power of narrative to help us survive difficult times, suitable for middle-grade readers who enjoy historical settings and fast-paced, dialogue-driven stories.