Enemy Pie

A boy declares Jeremy Ross his enemy the moment he moves in down the street, so Dad offers his secret weapon: Enemy Pie — but the recipe requires spending a whole day playing with the enemy first.

For the kid who's already decided the new neighbor is the worst — this book quietly makes the case for finding out otherwise.

• Big idea: Spending time with someone is usually the fastest way to stop hating them.
• Vibes: warm, funny, a little mischievous, ultimately tender

• are working on resolving conflicts with peers
• enjoy stories with a clever family tradition or secret recipe
• respond well to gentle lessons about judging people too fast
• like stories where dads are in on the plan

• Story & problem-solving: Why did Dad think spending a whole day with Jeremy Ross was part of getting rid of him?
• Feelings & empathy: How do you think the boy felt about Jeremy Ross before they spent the day together, and after?
• Real-life connection: Has someone ever seemed like an enemy to you before you actually got to know them?
• Imagination: If you made an 'enemy pie,' what ingredients would you put in yours?
• Character choices: Why do you think Dad didn't just tell the boy Jeremy Ross wasn't so bad, and made him find out himself?