A character-led story about perfectionism, indecision and consequences, with an inventive word-game premise. It offers humour alongside embarrassment, danger and remorse, then turns towards help and more constructive self-reflection.
More about this book
Monica is a 14 year old perfectionist and word-game expert. Monica is obsessed with saying and doing the right thing and anagrams, the reordering of letters to form different words from an original word. She has ritualistic habits that she continually performs. One particular habit involves a game she invented by using tiles from the game Scrabble. She has decided to let the game make her decisions, that way, she doesn't have to make any choices and whatever the game dictates must be the right choice, the only choice. The game is funny till it starts to become dangerous..
PerfectionismThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.WorryThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.IndecisionThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.
Consider
Emotional intensityFear and suspenseViolence and harm
Personalised Fit
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Monica is preoccupied with doing and saying the right thing, then uses a Scrabble-tile game to surrender decisions.MixedMixed: the book presents both supportive and critical signals.Mixed: the book presents both supportive and critical signals.
How the book presents it: The game initially feels exciting and liberating but becomes harmful; the story ultimately presents more constructive self-analysis as possible.
Talk about: What does Monica gain from handing decisions to the game, and what does she lose?
Responsibility and repair
The game leads to harmful and socially damaging choices, followed by Monica’s remorse and support from caring adults.Exploratory / explanatoryExploratory / explanatory: the book explains or explores the subject without an established evaluative position.Exploratory / explanatory: the book explains or explores the subject without an established evaluative position.
How the book presents it: The story examines consequences and remorse, while presenting adult care and reflection as part of Monica’s response.
Talk about: How does Monica respond after other people are affected, and what counts as meaningful repair?
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Why It May Be Worth Reading
This may suit a reader interested in an unusual psychological dilemma rather than a straightforward adventure. Monica’s attempts to avoid choosing create opportunities to discuss agency, accountability and when a coping strategy stops helping.
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What Deserves Attention
A caring-adult response is described, though the ending’s detail remains limited.
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A Conversation Worth Having
If the game promises relief from worry, what makes it increasingly difficult for Monica to stop? How does the story distinguish understandable distress from responsibility for harmful choices?
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Reading Approach
Consider reading alongside the book’s turning points: first identify what the game offers Monica, then pause after its consequences to discuss choice and repair. Revisit the ending to assess how convincing her changed perspective feels.
Confidence & Basis
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
What remains unconfirmed
Perfectionism and decision-making: The book’s precise psychological framing and the full development of Monica’s recovery are not established.
Responsibility and repair: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
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