About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels like they are the only person in the family without a trophy on the shelf or a special talent to call their own. Fifth grader Allie Velasco lives in a household of high achievers and feels like a perpetual runner-up. When she decides to enter a prestigious school contest, she has to navigate shifting friendships and the pressure of her own expectations. It is a relatable story about the difference between being the best and doing your best. This gentle, contemporary novel explores themes of sibling rivalry, the sting of changing social circles, and the importance of heritage. Angela Cervantes handles the middle-grade struggle for identity with warmth and humor, making it an excellent choice for 8 to 12 year olds who are starting to compare themselves to their peers. Parents will appreciate how it validates a child's desire for recognition while pivoting the focus toward internal satisfaction and family connection.
