Why Can't I Be You

“This book is for anyone who has ever felt ‘less than’ or on the outside. That is to say, this is a book for everyone.” —Elana K. Arnold, author of What Girls Are Made Of

"With a clear, compelling voice, Walker creates a believable world where socioeconomic tensions challenge, but never defeat, her well-rounded characters."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Claire Ladd knows that this summer is going to be special. She and her two best friends, Ronan and Brianna, are turning twelve. She is leaving camp behind and gets to do what she wants all day. She feels everything starting to change.

But things don’t always change for the better.

With Brianna’s cousin Eden visiting for the summer, Claire feels like a third wheel. Even though she is only a year older, Eden seems so much more sophisticated and glamorous . . . and when she's around, she takes up everyone’s attention, including Brianna’s.

But that doesn’t explain why things have felt awkward with Brianna ever since she moved to a fancy new house, or why Ronan, who lives in the trailer next to Claire’s, has started acting moody anytime anyone mentions his dad.

Claire has always been happy with her life just as it is, but as the summer wears on and the issues with her friends start to grow, she can’t help but wonder: Would everything be better if she could just be someone else?

Changing Friendships: Claire, Brianna, and Ronan have always been inseparable. But with a new house, new secrets, and a glamorous cousin in the mix, their bond is tested like never before. Socioeconomic Differences: Life in the Twin Pines Trailer Park feels worlds away from Brianna’s new world with a private pool and a jukebox. A heartfelt look at how money can change everything—and nothing at all. Navigating Family Drama: Between Ronan’s moody silences about his father and Claire’s own divorced parents, this story explores the realistic family problems that shape who we are. A Relatable Heroine: For any reader who has ever felt left out or wondered if they were enough, Claire’s journey of self-discovery is a must-read for middle school girls.