"Being 12 is hard, especially when you have a brain that won’t stop worrying!"
March 2026 Book of the Month
From new bras to sleepover politics, Birdie knows that being 12 is NOT easy. Birdie’s mind is full of worries and anxieties, she’s what you might call an overthinker. It’s no surprise though, she has a lot going on for a 12-year-old girl! From a looming house move which brings with it the prospect of a blended family, to an adored but ancient hamster, to friendship dramas galore, her worries seem never-ending. And even when they do end, her brain is very good at coming up with new worries for her. So, when her form tutor suggests she write and work on a ‘Happy List’ for a month Birdie is onboard.
Some happy suggestions are more successful than others – saying 3 things she’s grateful for every morning turns into a positive habit, but fishy banana brainfood for lunch is as unappetising as it sounds! Gradually though the list helps Birdie to recognise when her brain starts overthinking unnecessarily and begin to tackle some of her worries.
With lots of gentle humour and understanding of how big even seemingly small worries can feel when you’re growing up, The Overthinkers’ Club: The Happy List is a perfect read for tween girls. The cute, doodle style illustrations beg to be copied and do a great job of breaking up pages of text.
In the style of Birdie’s morning gratitudes, here are 3 things I am grateful for:
1. The opportunity to read Nat Luurtsema warm and engaging text.
2. Cécile Dormeau’s cute illustrations which kept me giggling throughout.
3. There’s a second book to look forward to.
Move over Lottie Brooks there’s a new girl in school!
Hilarious and relatable diary of a 12-year-old girl with brilliant illustrations. Perfect for fans of Lottie Brooks!
If you are a fan of Lottie Brooks, you will love The Overthinker's Club! Birdie is a 12-year-old with lots to think about, such as moving house, her aging hamster and if she will ever get a bra. It is written in a diary-style, with lots of brilliant illustrations which made me laugh. Birdie made me feel like my own worries and anxieties are normal, and I enjoyed the way she tried to think positively and solve her problems (although I will avoid mixing fish and bananas in my lunchbox!).... Read Full Review
Birdie is an overthinker, and she has a lot to overthink. Her BFF Chloe wants new friends (BETRAYAL), she will be a teenager in one year (BREATHE), yet owns ZERO bras (surely some mistake?!), and a boy at school maybe has a crush on her (BUT HOW TO BE SURE?!).
So Birdie has made a Happy List to tackle all the awkward and emotional challenges of being a tween. THEN she will stop being an anxious ball of stress and be happy!
That's the plan anyway...
The first book in the brand-new illustrated series filled with LOLs, BFFs, drama and crushes and lots of overthinking! For fans of Lottie Brooks and Dork Diaries.
Nat Luurtsema says, "The Overthinkers Club feels like a life's work in some ways, as a naturally anxious child, and adult, I have always aspired to a Golden Retriever personality. This book is everything I have learned about how to be happier and I can't wait for readers to discover Birdie's story and hopefully create their very own happy lists!"
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Overthinkers' Club: Happy List and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
The Overthinkers' Club: Happy List features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books of the Month, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Recommendations, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, Funny, Romance / Relationship Stories, School Stories, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Mental health, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Friendship stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Physical and mental health conditions
The Overthinkers' Club: Happy List is available in Paperback
The Overthinkers' Club: Happy List was written by Nat Luurtsema and published by Usborne Publishing Ltd. an imprint of Usborne Publishing
The Overthinkers' Club: Happy List has 339 pages
Yes it is part of The Overthinkers' Club series
£7.19
