Free Throws, Friendship, and Other Things We Fouled Up

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with a shift in friendship dynamics, struggling with performance anxiety, or curious about the complicated history that adults sometimes hide. It is a perfect fit for the middle schooler who feels the pressure to live up to a family legacy while trying to forge their own path. The story follows Rory, a coach's daughter constantly on the move, and Abby, who is pulling away from basketball after losing her confidence. Their secret friendship, formed despite a long-standing feud between their fathers, serves as a grounded exploration of loyalty, the weight of parental expectations, and the courage required to break cycles of resentment. It is a nuanced, age-appropriate look at how the past shapes the present, framed by the high energy of competitive sports.