{"product_id":"just-shy-of-ordinary-a-j-sass-9780316506274","title":"Just Shy of Ordinary","description":"\u003cb\u003eIn this heartfelt novel about family, friendship, and identity perfect for fans of \u003ci\u003eThe List of Things That Will Not Change \u003c\/i\u003eand\u003ci\u003e Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World\u003c\/i\u003e, a thirteen-year-old nonbinary kid discovers that life doesn't always go according to plan--especially when they start public school for the first time.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Thirteen-year-old Shai is an expert problem-solver. There's never been something they couldn't research and figure out on their own. But there's one thing Shai hasn't been able to logic their way through: picking at the hair on their arms. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Ever since their mom lost her job, the two had to move in with family friends, and the world went into pandemic lockdown, Shai's been unable to control their picking. Now, as the difficult times recede and everyone begins to discover their \"new normal,\" Shai's hoping the stress that caused their picking will end, too. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e After reading that a routine can reduce anxiety, Shai makes a plan to create a brand new normal for themself that includes going to public school. But when their academic evaluation places them into 9th grade instead of 8th, it sets off a chain of events that veer off the path Shai had prepared for, encouraging Shai to learn how to accept life's twists and turns, especially when you can't plan for them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e A. J. Sass\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0316506273\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780316506274\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Little, Brown Books for Young Readers\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/29\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 352\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.63h x 5.25w x 0.88d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAccelerated Reader:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReading Level:\u003c\/b\u003e 4.8\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePoint Value:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eInterest Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Middle Grade\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eQuiz #\/Name: \u003c\/b\u003e523524 \/ Just Shy of Ordinary\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"A. J. Sass","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46571378475263,"sku":"9780316506274","price":8.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_24d11206-1cbd-44f2-b0ea-91806a42423c.jpg?v=1738808059","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/just-shy-of-ordinary-a-j-sass-9780316506274","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}