Will on the Inside

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with a life-changing medical diagnosis or feeling like an outsider in their own social circle. It is a compassionate resource for middle schoolers who feel sidelined by physical limitations or the pressure to fit into traditional molds of faith and masculinity. Will on the Inside follows a soccer-obsessed boy who must navigate the reality of Crohn's disease while questioning the rigid social and religious expectations of his community. The story explores themes of identity, resilience, and the vulnerability of shifting friendships. It is perfectly suited for children aged 10-12 who are beginning to realize that the adults and institutions in their lives don't have all the answers. By choosing this book, parents provide their children with a realistic roadmap for finding self-worth when their body, or their community, feels like it is failing them.