
Reach for this book when your child is feeling the weight of high expectations or when you notice that your own intensity on the sidelines might be causing them more stress than joy. It is a relatable story for any young athlete who has experienced a performance slump or felt the sting of public embarrassment caused by a parent's competitive behavior. The narrative follows Corey Maduro as he navigates the Grand Slam Tournament while managing his father's temper and a difficult peer. This book is a gentle but effective tool for normalizing the anxiety that comes with competitive sports. It serves as a bridge for families to discuss how to keep games fun and how to handle external pressures with grace. It is perfectly suited for independent readers in late elementary or middle school who are looking for realistic stories about balancing passion and family dynamics.
The book deals with parental emotional volatility and peer harassment. The approach is direct and realistic, showing the genuine shame a child feels when a parent acts out. The resolution is hopeful and grounded in better communication.
An 11-year-old athlete who loves their sport but is starting to feel 'burnt out' or stressed by a parent's over-involvement and high expectations.
Read cold, but be prepared to discuss the father's behavior. Parents who tend to get very involved in their child's sports may find this book prompts self-reflection. Be prepared to discuss the father's behavior and how it affects Corey. A parent sees their child look away or shrink on the field after the parent yells a correction or a complaint from the stands.
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the baseball action and the 'mean' rival. Older readers (10-12) will deeply resonate with the internal conflict of wanting to make a parent proud while being mortified by their behavior.
Unlike many sports books that focus purely on the 'big win,' this book focuses on the 'big talk' between a father and son about sportsmanship and emotional boundaries. """
Corey Maduro is a talented baseball player for the Orioles, heading into the high-stakes Grand Slam Tournament. However, Corey is struggling with a hitting slump that is eroding his confidence. To make matters worse, his father is a 'screamer' on the sidelines, often embarrassing Corey with outbursts at umpires and coaches. Corey also has to deal with Katelyn Morris, a girl on a rival team who is an expert at getting under his skin. The story follows Corey as he learns to block out the noise and rediscover his love for the game.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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