My own personal story was about surviving abuse by parents who struggled with mental illness and the cycle of their own abuse and the precarious way they clung to economic stability in the 1950s and 60s. It shaped my life and guided me toward entertainment and teaching. I feel proud that I’ve managed to marry both those goals in my book, The King of Average.

Here is an unsolicited comment I received from a school counselor who is reading the book with her own 10 year old son.

I just wanted to let you know that my 10-year-old son and I have been reading your book aloud together.  We are on chapter 17 now, and we are having a great time with it!  We have voices for each of the characters based on their perfectly-depicted personalities, and we crack each other up reading them!

At the same time, we’ve had some powerful discussions about James’s home life and the self-talk he’s developed because of it, and how his thoughts create his biggest challenges.  Like all great children’s books, this one has a lot to teach.  I’ve told some of my teacher friends about it too, and suggested they might get copies to read aloud in their classrooms, especially since we have so many children struggling with difficult home lives and negative self-perceptions.

I will be happy to write a glowing review once Aidan and I have finished reading, but I wanted you to know that you’ve given us a lot of pleasure already.  Thank you so much!   —     Annie Portman

PS (I’m a school counselor in a public school with very high needs.)