About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with team dynamics, feeling overshadowed by older peers, or finding it difficult to cooperate with others they do not personally like. It is an excellent choice for the young athlete who needs to understand that individual talent cannot overcome a divided locker room. The story follows the Alden Junior High baseball team as internal friction between seventh and eighth graders puts their championship dreams at risk. This realistic sports novel focuses on the emotional maturity required to set aside ego for the good of the group. While the setting is the baseball diamond, the lessons on accountability and professional respect apply to any group setting. It is developmentally perfect for middle-grade readers (ages 8 to 12) who are beginning to navigate more complex social hierarchies and competitive environments. Parents will appreciate the clear moral compass and the realistic depiction of how peer pressure can either derail or drive success.
