The Birthday Party

Caroline has a plan. Afoolproofplan.

Her birthday party isn’t just about cake and presents—it’s herone shot at seventh-grade social dominance. If everything goes perfectly, she and her best friends will secure a coveted spot at thecool tablewhen school starts.

But there’s one problem.Adam.

Her mom is forcing her to invite the weird neighbor kid, and he’s bound to ruineverything. Worse still, the party venue (a.k.a. her backyard) isoccupied by a very pissed-off beehive, and her parents’ idea of dealing with it ismoving the picnic table somewhere even more embarrassing.

Then Adam shows up with a wet birthday present, a sarcastic best friend, and just enough bad luck to turn the whole event into achaotic disaster of epic proportions.

Bees will swarm. Friendships will be tested. And Caroline might just have to learn thatreal social status isn’t about who you invite to the party—it’s about who’s still there when it falls apart.

Asharp, hilarious, and painfully relatablecoming-of-age story about the fine line between middle school politics and complete social annihilation.