Maddening and confusing things keep happening to Gabe – for no reason! Or so he thinks. During the basketball game, Jacob refuses to pass the ball to Gabe or any other teammate. They end up losing. When Gabe gets his math assignment back, he doesn’t get full credit for having the right answers. He ends up with a rotten grade. And when Harper pushes Gabe’s pencils off his desk, she just laughs. What’s going on? Did Jacob really have no reason for never passing the ball? Did Gabe’s math teacher really have no reason for not giving full credit? Did Harper really have no reason for messing with the pencils? Gabe doesn’t understand why any of these things happened. He’s so frustrated, he has to take a moment to calm himself by sitting in the classroom’s Cool Down Spot. While there, something super strange happens. The nearby Puppet Theater comes to life and starts talking! The Puppet Theater is named Curtains, or Curt for short, and Curt wants to help Gabe learn how to see and understand the reasons behind why people do what they do. With patience, empathy, and encouragement, Curt teaches Gabe to pay more attention, ask more questions, and look at situations from more than one point of view. If Gabe can remember to do those three things, his life will make much more sense. And it might just help Gabe become more forgiving, patient, and careful! Missing the Meaning explores how to identify and better understand the reasons behind why people say what they say and do what they do. A special page written specifically for parents, counselors, and educators offers practical strategies to help children discover what the words “for no reason” really mean. Author Jennifer Law is an experienced elementary school counselor whose passion for children extends to storybooks. Her popular Gabe series empowers young readers with the skills they need to manage difficult emotions, be more independent, and practice healthy habits. The series includes Finding the Flipside, Rest to Recharge , Pause Power, and Practicing Patience . “Jennifer Law always hits the mark when it comes to providing our students with books that teach them how to manage their emotions. The kids have loved following her main character, Gabe, over the years. In Missing the Meaning, Gabe helps kids understand just why people do what they do and say what they say. Jennifer's entire Gabe series would be a wonderful addition to any home, classroom, or school library. The kids love these books!” ---Kat Harbaugh, School Librarian “Missing the Meaning teaches kids to ask questions and fact-find in order to see situations more critically before placing blame or jumping to conclusions. Jennifer has a wonderful way of taking a social skill and breaking it down into an easy-to-understand and meaningful format. I use all of her books in my work at school and at home. My own kids ‘flipped’ over her Finding the Flipside and quote it often. I know they’ll have the same reaction to this story and am excited to use it with my students and family.” --~ Rebecca Renze, Professional School Counselor Author Jennifer Law is an experienced elementary school counselor whose passion for children extends to storybooks. Her popular Gabe series empowers young readers with the skills they need to manage difficult emotions, be more independent, and practice healthy habits.