The Marble (Paperback)

L.C. Mueller

ISBN 13: 9798186221982

Published by Independently Published, 2026

About this Item

Paperback. Marcus has changed schools three times, and he's learned the safest move is to sit alone. When a nervous new kid slides into the seat next to him on the bus, Marcus has a choice: keep doing what's always kept him safe, or take a chance on something real. **The Marble** follows one boy's slow, believable journey from guarded to genuinely connected - through a science project gone sideways, a costume built out of cardboard and courage, and two moments where Marcus has to decide whether to say something when nobody else will. Grounded in real, peer-reviewed research on friendship, courage, and childhood development (Piaget, Vygotsky, Bandura, and more - explained afterward in plain language any 11-year-old can follow), this is the first book in a series built to help boys navigate friendship, self-esteem, and communication in a world that doesn't always make that easy. *Includes "The Science Behind This Story" - a full explanation of the psychology in the book, written for young readers, plus a source list for parents and educators. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9798186221982

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Marble (Paperback)
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Publication Date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 13: 9798186221982
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Marcus has changed schools three times, and he's learned the safest move is to sit alone. When a nervous new kid slides into the seat next to him on the bus, Marcus has a choice: keep doing what's always kept him safe, or take a chance on something real. **The Marble** follows one boy's slow, believable journey from guarded to genuinely connected — through a science project gone sideways, a costume built out of cardboard and courage, and two moments where Marcus has to decide whether to say something when nobody else will. Grounded in real, peer-reviewed research on friendship, courage, and childhood development (Piaget, Vygotsky, Bandura, and more — explained afterward in plain language any 11-year-old can follow), this is the first book in a series built to help boys navigate friendship, self-esteem, and communication in a world that doesn't always make that easy. *Includes "The Science Behind This Story" — a full explanation of the psychology in the book, written for young readers, plus a source list for parents and educators.