My cousin's keeper

the long version

When the new, strange kid at school turns out to be Kieran's cousin, Kieran will have to choose between fitting in with the other kids and standing up for his cousin against the kids that bully him. "Eleven-year-old Kieran wants to be part of the 'in' group at school. He wants to be on the soccer team. He wants to fit in. But then his weird cousin Bon turns up, both at school and at home. Bon knows nothing about fitting in, with his long blond braid, babyish hand-knit hat, and funny, precise voice. Bon doesn't play sports, and he likes to draw imaginary maps with stories about 'Bon the Crusader' and 'Kieran the Brave.' He's an easy target for teasing, and Kieran has little patience for him. Even more irritating, Bon's only friend is the other new kid, a cool girl named Julia who wears cowboy boots and has a confidence that fascinates Kieran. What could she and Bon possibly have in common? With unflinching honesty, My Cousin's Keeper takes on childhood jealousy, family secrets, and unexpected kindness."--