The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl

Enthusiastic portrayal of math as a way to understand and appreciate the world, including explanations of pi and the Fibonacci sequence plus references to optimal stopping theory, the Riemann hypothesis, and the Hodge conjecture. Shows challenges and rewards of reaching outside of comfort zones and building social connection. Compassionate presentation of living with obsessive compulsive disorder. Depicts what it's like to be able to see numbers as colors and shapes, though it doesn't identify that by name as synesthesia.

Lucy enjoys using her talent to help others with math and to figure out how to improve an animal shelter's adoption rates. She grows to appreciate classmates who extend kindnesses to her, and she tries to make amends for being mean to another. Lucy's grandmother and uncle provide her with a devoted, strong support system, and her math teacher is warm and engaged. Her new friends are generously empathetic: Windy is considerate, taking Lucy's peculiarities in stride and seeing the positive aspects, while Levi is honest and accepting, holding Lucy's trust and providing support when she feels most vulnerable. Both Levi and Windy stand up for Lucy when she's publicly targeted.