The Squeezable Doll: One Spring. First Love. One Mistake. She Ran to Escape (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9789695093269)

What happens when the desire for freedom collides with the harsh realities of growing up?

Stephany is about to turn thirteen and has meticulously planned the perfect birthday adventure filled with friends, nature, and fun. But when her report card arrives with three failing grades in math, history, and English, her strict father who is also the school principal, cancels the party and grounds her indefinitely.

Furious, embarrassed, and feeling completely unloved, Stephany makes a rash decision to run away from home. She quickly becomes lost in the dark, mysterious woods. There, she encounters Harriet, a strange six-year-old girl from a magical place, who gifts her a tiny "squeezable doll" for protection. When a terrifying, multi-horned beast ambushes Stephany and drags her to an abandoned barn, she must rely on her Girl Scout survival skills and her magical gift to escape.

Waking up to discover the harrowing ordeal was a dream, Stephany soon faces a real-life test when a lost little girl named Laura appears at her house. Stephany must apply the lessons she learned in her dream to comfort Laura, reunite the girl with her parents, and mend her own fractured relationship with her family.

Written by veteran educator Giovanna Minutolo Cicillini, The Squeezable Doll is an enchanting coming-of-age fantasy that masterfully blends magical adventure with real-world life lessons. It is the perfect read to encourage young teens to reflect on the importance of accountability, the dangers of procrastination, and the enduring power of family love.