MaryPenney

Acceptance, understanding, and hope shine through in this heartfelt coming of age story by Eleven and Holding author Mary Penney, perfect for fans of Lindsey Stoddard and Lisa Graff.After a lifetime of being homeschooled, Ham Hudson is hoping that a new year in a new school will help make him a whole new Ham. Instead, he's saddled with an archnemesis to avoid, a confusing and exhausting social sphere to navigate, and a whole host of insecurities to add to his old ones.But then Ham meets Micah. Sympathetic and effortlessly cool, Micah quickly becomes a lifeline in a strange world. Ham wants Micah to think he belongs--to want him around as much as Ham wants to be around him.The more that Ham tries to fit in, the less he recognizes himself. When things start to unravel, Ham has to decide--is fitting in worth changing who he wants to be?Navigating Middle School: For a boy who's only ever known life in the church parsonage, public school is a strange and hostile new world filled with confusing social rules.A Complicated First Crush: When Ham meets the magnetic, green-eyed Micah, he'll do anything to keep his new friend's attention--even if it means losing himself in the process.Dealing with Bullies: From being called "Church Boy" to facing down an archnemesis, Ham has to learn how to stand up for himself for the very first time.Finding Your True Self: A powerful and emotional story about the difference between fitting in and truly belonging, perfect for middle grade readers exploring questions of identity.