Sara and the Search for Normal

Sara is a thirteen-year-old girl who just wants to be normal. She struggles with multiple mental diagnoses as she suffers from panic attacks, social isolation, and bullying while also navigating the typical day-to-day issues related to being a teenager. When she meets Erin, the two develop a friendship, which may help readers see and understand the importance of developing healthy support systems. In an intermediate classroom, the book is suitable as a read-aloud and may invite discussions around the themes of mental health, personal identity, acceptance, and empathy towards others. Students may be invited to reflect on the perspectives of others and understand what some of their peers may be going through.