On the drive to a basketball camp, my almost-12-year-old stealthily swiped my phone to video her back-to-school wishlist, punctuated by persuasive commentary on why each item was essential. Her “whys” cracked me up (“Jansport bags are “sooo aesthetic”), and by the end, it struck me: She’s equal parts excited and nervous for her first year of middle school, and a few special items may help her to feel steady and ready on many levels.
