Reading Metrics
Description
A middle school boy's life is changed when Jessica, a girl disfigured by burns, starts attending his Catholic school while receiving treatment at hospital.
Quick Summary
Tom, an eleven-year-old navigating the awkward world of Catholic school, has his comfortable routine completely upended when Jessica arrives a girl whose face is wrapped in bandages from a terrible accident. What follows isn't preachy or heavy-handed, even though it sounds like it could be; instead, Abbott tells the story through Tom's eyes as he struggles with his own small-town insecurities, his desire to fit in with the cool kids, and his unexpected, messy feelings about Jessica. The book genuinely captures how hard it is to be a middle schooler who isn't a hero, just a regular kid who doesn't always handle things the right way and that's what makes it feel so real. Reluctant readers tend to connect with this one because it's short and punches through chapters quickly, but kids who already love books will appreciate how quietly powerful the ending is. A parent might appreciate that it opens the door to real conversations about empathy, bullying, and what it actually looks like to include someone who's different without feeling like homework. If your kid has ever felt like an outsider themselves, or if they connected with books like Wonder or The Outsiders, this one's a natural next step. It's one of those middle grade books that adults actually enjoy rereading alongside their kids, which is saying something.