One question people always ask me when they're ready to write their book is, "Emily, why does the world need another sob story?" And you know what, I ask myself that question too, "Why is it that stories of struggle often provide the most authentic connections?" 

So, these days, whenever I get extremely confused, I ask my fifth graders. They pretty much know everything and they tell it to you straight. This past week they gave me a big epiphany on this subject.