Worst-Case Collin

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the heavy emotional fallout of a family tragedy or when they are struggling to understand a parent's changing mental health. This moving story in verse follows Collin, a young boy who uses 'Worst-Case Scenario' lists to manage his mounting anxiety after his mother's death. It provides a compassionate lens through which to view trauma, hoarding, and the quiet ways children try to fix their broken worlds. While the subject matter is profound, the free verse format makes the heavy themes accessible for middle schoolers. It is an essential choice for families looking to normalize conversations about grief, mental illness, and the courage it takes to ask for help when things feel beyond repair.