In many inspirational middle grade novels, growth does not begin with bravery. It begins with frustration.

In The Subjects We Hate, we meet Idunnu, a girl who dreads two particular classes: French and art. To her, they are pointless, confusing, and deeply embarrassing. French feels like a jumble of sounds she can’t pronounce. Art feels like a stage where her imperfections are always on display. These subjects chip away at her confidence and make her question her intelligence.

Like many children, Idunnu silently builds her identity around what she cannot do. But this story is not about academic success. It is about self-belief and how sometimes the very things we reject become the tools that save us.

One of the most powerful elements of this story is its focus on character growth in children’s books. Idunnu does not begin as extraordinary. She is insecure, easily discouraged, and convinced that she simply “isn’t good” at certain things.

This mindset is relatable for young readers. Children often label themselves early:

1. “I’m bad at languages.”
2. “I’m bad at languages.”
3. “I can’t draw.”
4. “I’m just not creative.”

These labels harden into identity. Idunnu believes French and art define her limitations. What she doesn’t realize is that struggling does not mean lacking ability; it means she is still growing.

The story takes a dramatic shift when Idunnu’s brother is kidnapped. In the midst of fear and panic, she must rely on her memory and observation to help identify the kidnappers. And here lies the brilliance of the narrative.

The small details she once ignored in French class—phrases, accents, vocabulary—suddenly matter. A word overheard. A mispronounced phrase. A linguistic clue. The art lessons she once resented become vital as she sketches faces from memory, noticing subtle features and expressions others overlooked.

The subjects she hated become her superpower. This moment transforms the novel into a powerful lesson in resilience for kids. Idunnu realizes she was never incapable; she simply hadn’t yet seen the value of her learning.

In a world where children are constantly evaluated by grades and comparison, stories like The Subjects We Hate offer something essential: Self-worth is not defined by comfort.
Strength often hides inside struggle.
The skills you dismiss today may save you tomorrow.

For young readers who feel defeated by certain subjects, Idunnu’s journey offers hope. It teaches that learning is never wasted. That persistence has power. That self-belief can emerge from the very places we feel weakest.

And perhaps most importantly, it reminds children that they are more capable than they think.

Sometimes, the subjects we hate are the ones that help us discover who we truly are.