
Reach for this book when your teenager is feeling the pressure of being the 'reliable one' while a sibling's struggle consumes the family's energy. It is a grounded look at a high school athlete who uses sports and humor to cope with a changing home life. Brook is a star pitcher whose older brother has dropped out of college and is spiraling, leaving Brook to navigate his own path through high-stakes games and peer pressure. This story offers a realistic mirror for teens aged 12 to 17 who are learning that loyalty to friends and family doesn't mean you have to lose yourself in their mistakes. It validates the frustration of having 'invisible' problems and provides a space to discuss accountability and the consequences of one's actions.
A final stunt involves physical danger that could lead to serious injury.
Depicts the emotional toll of a sibling's failure and family neglect.
The book deals with academic failure, family dysfunction, and the consequences of reckless behavior. The approach is secular and realistic, focusing on the ripple effects of a sibling's mental health or lifestyle crisis. The resolution is grounded and hopeful but avoids easy, magical fixes.
A middle or high schooler who loves sports but is also dealing with 'the good kid' syndrome. This is for the teen who feels they have to be perfect because a sibling is causing chaos, and who might be tempted to act out just to be seen.
Parents should be aware of the climax involving a dangerous stunt. The book can be read cold, but it is helpful to be ready to discuss the difference between humor and harm. A parent might see their child becoming increasingly withdrawn or, conversely, engaging in 'harmless' jokes that seem to be escalating in intensity or danger.
Younger teens (12-13) will likely focus on the baseball action and the pranks. Older teens (15-17) will resonate more with the nuanced portrayal of sibling resentment and the pressure of looming adulthood.
Unlike many sports novels that focus solely on the 'big game,' this book expertly weaves the psychological impact of a family in crisis into the fabric of the athletic season.
Brook Gunderson, nicknamed Gunner, is a skinny but talented pitcher for his Lethbridge, Alberta baseball team. While he excels on the field and finds joy in elaborate practical jokes with his teammates, his home life is deteriorating. His older brother Frasier has returned home after failing out of college and is increasingly erratic. Brook's parents are preoccupied with Frasier's crisis, leaving Brook to drift toward riskier behavior and more extreme pranks to reclaim his sense of control and belonging. The story culminates in a prank that goes dangerously wrong, forcing Brook to face the potential end of his athletic career.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a review