Worser

Reach for this book when your middle-schooler feels like a square peg in a round hole or is struggling to process a major family upheaval like a parent's serious illness. It is an ideal choice for the quiet, intellectually curious child who finds safety in books and words but struggles with the messy, unpredictable nature of real-life social dynamics. The story follows William Porter, known as Worser, a word-loving loner whose world is upended when his mother suffers a stroke. As he navigates a changing home life and finds an unexpected community in a local bookstore's 'Literary Salon,' the book explores themes of grief, resilience, and the beauty of finding your tribe. It is a sophisticated, heartwarming realistic fiction title for ages 9 to 12 that validates the experience of being different.