About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is hesitant to try something new for fear of not being the best, or when they are feeling the visible pressure of competitive sports. It speaks directly to the 'rookie nerves' that many elementary-aged children experience when joining a team for the first time. The story follows Harlan Sloan, a boy who feels like an outsider on his Little League team until one decisive moment on the field changes his perspective. While the backdrop is baseball, the core of the book is about managing anxiety and the quiet internal victory of proving to yourself that you belong. It is an accessible, gentle read that validates a child's performance anxiety while offering a realistic, hopeful resolution. Parents will appreciate how it de-emphasizes being a 'superstar' in favor of finding personal confidence and contributing to a group.
