First published 2000
Peggy Moffitt finds herself at the center of childhood's daily dramas and discoveries. Du Bois creates a young protagonist who encounters the small mysteries and social complexities that shape a child's world. Peggy moves through her days with the particular intensity children bring to seemingly ordinary moments. She faces the challenges of friendship, family expectations, and her own growing sense of independence. The story follows Peggy as she learns to navigate relationships with peers and adults, each interaction teaching her something new about herself and others. Du Bois captures the authentic voice of childhood, where small victories feel enormous and minor setbacks can reshape an entire day. Peggy's experiences reveal the courage required to be genuinely yourself when the world seems to demand conformity. The book celebrates the resilience children show as they figure out their place in an often puzzling adult world.
Genres: fiction, family-life, 20th-century, coming-of-age
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: coming-of-age, found-family
Period: 20th-century
Library Binding · Harpercollins Juvenile Books