Is there a chance Kayla feels pushed aside because her brother Andre’s behavior demands so much attention from their parents? We don’t know for sure, but these expert tips can help strengthen the child-parent bond: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/peaceful-parents-happy-kids/201706/12-tips-build-stronger-sibling-bond
Kayla decides to trust Emily with her secret and begins sharing her story. Forging close friendships can be tricky for pre-adolescents — especially when their stories seem hard to believe. If you are interested in learning more about pre-adolescent friendships, visit: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/helping-young-children-learn-to-make-friends
We don’t know yet if Kayla and Emily will face conflict, but if you’re interested in helping your child handle peer conflicts, check out: https://www.pbs.org/parents/thrive/5-strategies-to-help-kids-resolve-conflict
The connection between social-emotional factors and learning disabilities can be hard to understand. This resource from the University of Michigan explains how the two may be related: https://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/parents/living-with-dyslexia/home/social-emotional-challenges
Kayla shares her dislike of reading after receiving a book from her aunt. Kids with learning difficulties often struggle to express their feelings. To understand their perspective better: https://www.readingrockets.org/helping-all-readers/why-some-kids-struggle/self-esteem