
A parent should reach for this book when their teenager is struggling to redefine themselves after a major disappointment, injury, or loss of a long-term goal. It is an essential read for the child who feels like their life is over because their plan A did not work out. The story follows Peter, a freshman who has to hide the truth of a career ending elbow injury from his best friend while secretly falling in love with photography and a girl named Angel. Beyond sports, the book handles a grandfather's declining health with incredible grace. While the book is framed around baseball and photography, its core is about the resilience required to pivot when life throws a curveball. It is written with the wit and emotional honesty characteristic of Jordan Sonnenblick, making it highly accessible for middle and high schoolers. Parents will appreciate the way it models healthy communication and the painful but necessary process of letting go of an old identity to make room for a new one.
Includes first dates, flirting, and a developing high school romance.
Depicts a grandparent's progressive memory loss and cognitive decline.
The book addresses physical disability (the end of an athletic career) and cognitive decline (Alzheimer's) through a secular, highly realistic lens. The resolution is bittersweet but hopeful: the injury is permanent and the grandfather's health will continue to decline, but Peter finds a way to capture the beauty of the present moment.
A 13 or 14-year-old boy who identifies strongly with a single hobby or sport and may be experiencing burnout, injury, or a fear of what happens if they stop being the best at that one thing.
Parents should be prepared for the realistic portrayal of Alzheimer's, which may be upsetting for children currently witnessing a relative's decline. No specific scenes need censoring, but the emotional weight of the grandfather's memory loss is significant. A parent might notice their child withdrawing from a previously loved activity or acting out because they are afraid to admit they can no longer meet expectations.
Younger readers (11-12) will focus on the secret-keeping and the romance; older readers (15+) will better appreciate the nuances of the grandfather's tragedy and the complex shifts in identity.
Unlike many sports books that focus on the big win, this is a rare story about the life that happens after the game is over. It elevates photography from a hobby to a soul-saving pursuit.
Peter Friedman is a star pitcher entering high school, but a permanent elbow injury means he can never play again. He keeps the severity of the injury a secret from his best friend and former catcher, AJ, leading to significant social tension. As he navigates this loss, his grandfather (a professional photographer) gives him high-end gear and begins teaching him the craft. Peter eventually joins the school paper, falls for a girl named Angel, and begins to realize his grandfather is suffering from early-onset Alzheimer's.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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