It's My Party and I Don't Want to Go
on Goodreads (84)
What’s inside...
A timely and whimsical portrait of growing up with social anxiety follows the experiences of a girl who risks a best friendship in her attempt to sabotage her own bat mitzvah to avoid the event's intimidating large crowds and requirement for her to sing in another language. A funny and honest portrayal of living with social anxiety, this timely novel explores the universal themes of growing up and finding your voice, set in a fast-paced comedy.
Age
8-12
Length
224 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Ellie Katz
Discussion points
How do you think Ellie felt about her bat mitzvah and why?
What are some ways Ellie handled her anxiety that you found helpful or interesting?
Can you think of a time when you felt anxious like Ellie? What did you do about it?
Why do you think friendship is important in the story? How did Ellie's friends help her?
Tip: Role play these questions
Acknowledge and validate your child’s feelings before starting the conversation, making it easier for them to open up about their own experiences with anxiety or big events.
Ask your child how they relate to Ellie, drawing parallels between the book and their own life, which can provide insights into their thoughts and feelings.
Encourage your child to think about different friendships and support systems, discussing how having a supportive group, like Ellie did, can be beneficial.
Highlight Ellie’s coping strategies for managing anxiety and discuss with your child whether some of these strategies might be helpful for them or if they have other methods that work better.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and managing social anxiety
Explanation: The protagonist, Ellie, navigates the challenges of social anxiety during her bat mitzvah preparations, offering insights into her thoughts and struggles.
Real-World Application: Children learn that it's okay to feel anxious and that there are ways to cope with these feelings, helping them handle similar situations at school or social events.
Example Lesson: The importance of communication
Explanation: Through Ellie’s experiences, readers see how opening up to others about her feelings helps to ease her anxiety and misunderstandings.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to express their own emotions and communicate their needs to friends and family.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding differences
Explanation: Ellie’s story provides a perspective on what it's like to live with social anxiety, fostering empathy and understanding among her peers and readers.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be considerate and supportive of peers who might be experiencing similar challenges, promoting a more inclusive environment.
Example Lesson: Perseverance through personal challenges
Explanation: Ellie shows determination in preparing for her bat mitzvah despite her anxiety, illustrating resilience and commitment.
Real-World Application: This example teaches children that they can achieve their goals through persistence, even when facing personal difficulties.
Example Lesson: Recognizing personal growth and achievements
Explanation: As the story progresses, Ellie acknowledges her growth in handling situations that once overwhelmed her, celebrating her small victories.
Real-World Application: It teaches children to recognize and appreciate their own progress and achievements, boosting their self-esteem and confidence.