About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with the messy, often painful evolution of childhood friendships into more complex adolescent dynamics. It is an ideal choice for a teen who feels like they are losing their grip on old social circles or is navigating the heavy pressure of family expectations and personal identity. The story follows five girls who form a high school basketball team, but the sport is largely a backdrop for the gritty reality of their lives: dealing with estranged friends, substance abuse in the home, and the search for a place to belong. Because it handles mature themes like cyberbullying and domestic strain with unflinching honesty, it is best suited for older teens (14+) who appreciate raw, realistic storytelling rather than sanitized coming-of-age tropes. It serves as a powerful mirror for those who feel the weight of the world and need to see that growth is often a nonlinear, collective effort.
