Ainsley vs. the Pact is a relatable and educational middle grade novel about navigating toxic friendship drama, bullying, and hurtful social experiences with self-worth and resilience. The story illustrates what happens socially in middle school and why, with examples of how to use self-worth to bounce back from conflict. The ambition is to provide middle schoolers—and the parents, caregivers, educators, and others who care about their well-being—with inspiration to stay true to themselves through knowing that the opinions and actions of others do not define them.

 

Why? For many people, life includes good and challenging moments. Today, adults have many resources that support overcoming difficulty, such as books and podcasts on the benefits of self-worth and resilience. Fewer resources exist for young people, especially those aged 11-14 who attend middle school—an early life experience where character strength commonly is needed. Ainsley vs. the Pact was created for them, based on the author’s belief that how we respond to conflict can influence impact.

 

Story Description

 

At Northersley Academy—a choice middle school located in a beloved seaside town on the East Coast of the United States—social life is a hot mess. Ainsley is everyone’s friend, but even she is not safe from the school’s toxic mean-girl “Pacts”—cliques of kids who viciously control the social scene by casting out and bullying innocent classmates, often seemingly at random.

 

When a day that began like every other suddenly transforms into a social media nightmare, Ainsley, with help from friends and a handful of surprise upstanders and allies, must learn how to harness the strength within and become her own hero. Freakouts, fights, and flirting all get in her way, but Ainsley gradually muddles through the chaos. In the end, to stop the haters, her only option is to navigate the unexpected, stay true to herself, and embrace the idea that other people’s opinions of her will never be as important as how she feels about herself. #BU