Back Burn

Reach for this book when your child is struggling with a short fuse on the sports field or is having trouble adjusting to a backup role on a team. It is an ideal choice for the young athlete who feels their talent entitles them to the spotlight and needs a gentle reality check about the value of every player. The story follows a talented basketball player who lets his temper and ego get the best of him, leading to a demotion that forces him to re-evaluate his attitude. Through the lens of competitive middle school basketball, the narrative explores deep themes of anger management, teamwork, and the courage it takes to apologize. This chapter book is perfectly pitched for kids aged 9 to 14, offering a realistic look at how pride can alienate friends and how humility can win them back. Parents will appreciate how it models the difficult process of earning back trust after a public outburst without being overly preachy.