Ever since he was in kindergarten, Leo has had a hard time making friends. He always has so much going on in his head, and his words come out so slowly that the other kids just run off to play without listening to him.
Things are different after he meets Ralph. Ralph is from a different planet, and he loves outer space, just like Leo. The two friends make up their own language and invent other planets. As the early school years go by, Leo and Ralph have such a good time together that Leo's parents worry that he is not making other friends.
When Leo's mother gets a job in another town, Leo reluctantly agrees to say goodbye to Ralph. Leo is in a new school now, in a higher grade. But when he doesn't quite click with his real-life classmates, Ralph comes back, and this time, Leo has to keep his old friend a secret. Until, with the help of his family, his new classmates, and his new teacher, Leo is finally able to say goodbye to Ralph for good.
A stellar novel about space, starting over, and a friendship that's out of this world.
Ralph took a deep breath. "… if one of my ships comes to get me, you'll never see me again. It'll be goodbye forever, and not because your parents said so. I'll be gone because you won't need me anymore."
Leo scuffed the concrete with his shoe. "That won't ever happen. I'll always need you…. What will happen to you when I go to Dundle?"
"Doesn't matter," said Ralph. "Your parents told you to say goodbye, so that's what we'll do."
"But you won't disappear in a big soccer ball just yet?"
Ralph shook his furry head.
"Good," said Leo. "I've got an idea."
He told Ralph the plan. Ralph wasn't sure at first, but Leo talked him around. They made their secret promise, gathered Leo's lunch things, then raced back to the classroom before they got into trouble.
Leo's best friend is a short, furry alien named Ralph. The friends are forced say goodbye when Leo's family moves away - but why should they?
• FUN FOR INDEPENDENT EARLY READERS & CLASSROOMS: Full of banter, whimsy, and supported by 8 black-and-white illustrations, Leo and Ralph is a young middle-grade novel suitable for independent readers. It also serves as an ideal read-aloud for classrooms or bedtime, providing introductions to literary conventions like prologues, flash-forwards, metaphors and internal thoughts.
• THOUGHTFUL AND EMPOWERING: Leo and Ralph addresses themes of self-acceptance and social-emotional literacy. Young readers will empathize with Leo's feelings of anxiety and difficulties with making friends, and feel empowered when he learns to make real-life friendships with the gentle support of family, teachers and classmates.
• FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES: This imaginative and empowering story can inspire follow-up activities for young readers in any educational setting - from journal writing to art, photography, and inventing games and languages.
