Eva wants to belong. But she feels like a middle school misfit. Is she really alone? When Eva looks around at school and in her neighborhood, she sees most people dress similarly and enjoy the same kinds of outdoor, sporty activities. When the other girls at school gather, they tolerate Eva but they sometimes snipe and gossip about things that make her uncomfortable. It just doesn't appeal to Eva, and she wonders... AM I WEIRD?
She is a young girl who longs to be invited to the parties and included in the sleepovers but feels invisible and ignored. Is it because she's artsy and her fashion tastes are peculiar? Is her kindness mistaken for boringness? Or is she an actual weirdo?
Eva begins to question everything about who she is. She wants to believe that if she is kind and caring toward others, she can be true to herself and be happy, but she feels so
different. Can the love of her parents and the wisdom of her loyal friend, Isaiah, remind her that everyone is different and help her regain a sense of self-worth?
Am I Weird? is a compelling chapter book that speaks to the not-so-hidden fears every middle schooler has about fitting in, feeling insecure and staying true to yourself even when it's scary.This quick-read chapter book is part of the
Navigating Friendships series, which is great for students in Grades 4 through 8 who are struggling with changing friendships, learning about self-advocacy, and figuring out how to get along with others. Whether you are a teacher, a school counselor, a parent, or a middle school student – you know what it is like to be Eva, and will be able to use Eva’s story to help yourself or the middle schooler in your life.
Help your children overcome their social emotional challenges with the Navigating Friendships series.- He’s Not Just Teasing! A Book About the Difference Between Teasing and Bullying – Malcolm has a problem, and his name is Joe.
- Am I Weird? A Book About Finding Your Place When You Feel Like You Don’t Fit In - When the other girls at school gather they tolerate Eva,but they snipe and gossip about things that make her uncomfortable, and she wonders…AM I WEIRD?
- I Lost My BFF: A Book About Jealousy and Rejection Within Friendships – Sophia and Camila did EVERYTHING together, but when Camila starts spending more time with Christabel, Sophia finds herself thinking…I LOST MY BFF.
Teacher and Parent Activity Guides are available for each book. ” As a school counselor, I could think of several girls off the top of my head that could benefit from hearing this story. The message that what makes you different is what makes you beautiful comes through.” -
Amy, Verified Purchaser “Being a teenage girl is hard! And as a mother of one now, I think this book is an excellent tool for having a discussion with my daughter about fitting in and being yourself….This is a book I would love to donate to a middle school library.” -
Heather, Netgalley “As a NBCT Special education teacher I am always on the lookout for materials that are paced well and resonated with my students with Autism Spectrium Disorder. This series did exactly that! The students were engaged during the lesson and more importantly, seem to be applying the skills taught in real world situations. Bravo!” -
David, Verified Purchaser
Jennifer Licate received her master’s degree in School Counseling from West Chester University and has worked as a school counselor for over ten years. She currently splits her time between two schools and enjoys the dynamic of working with children from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Her book, He’s Not Just Teasing! is the winner of the MOM’s Choice Gold Award Honoring Excellence. Her series Navigating Friendships won the Counselor’s Choice Award.
Counseling young children one day and teenagers another (as well as raising two kids of her own) has taught Jennifer a universal truth: all children want to be loved, valued and respected for the unique individuals they are. She channels this truth and her love of counseling and creativity to craft children’s books whose aim is to help children of all ages navigate the challenges of growing up with stories that speak directly to them.
You can find articles by Jennifer about empathy, bullying, uniqueness, self-esteem, and motherhood on sites like SheKnows, Motherhood: the REAL Deal, Savvy MainLine, Tread Lightly Retire Early, Up Journey, and Pretty Progressive. You can follow her at her website, storiesbyjennifer.com, on Instagram @jenniferlicate, on Facebook @jennifer.licate, and on LinkedIn @jennifer-licate-86644210.
