
Reach for this book when your child is struggling to navigate the tension of a high-pressure coach or parent, especially while the family is experiencing the quiet turbulence of a separation or divorce. It is a perfect choice for the young athlete who feels like they are being watched through a microscope and needs to see a character find their own voice and rhythm on and off the court. Billy Folsom is a talented basketball player whose father is also his demanding coach. As his parents separate, the friction between Billy and his dad intensifies, turning the game he loves into a source of stress. Through relatable dialogue and fast-paced sports action, the story explores how to stand up for oneself while maintaining family bonds. It is highly appropriate for ages 8 to 12, offering a realistic look at how anger and excellence can coexist and how communication can bridge the gap during difficult transitions.
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Sign in to write a reviewDepicts the sadness and frustration of a recent parental separation.
The book deals directly with parental separation and the emotional fallout of divorce. It is secular in nature and takes a very realistic approach. The resolution is hopeful but not 'happily ever after' in a magical sense: the parents remain separated, but the lines of communication between Billy and his father begin to heal.
A middle-school boy who uses sports as an escape but currently finds his sport is the source of his stress. Specifically, a child who feels they are the 'buffer' between two separating parents.
Read the scenes where the father is particularly harsh on the sidelines to prepare for a discussion about 'the car ride home' and how to separate coaching from parenting. A parent might see their child suddenly lose interest in a favorite hobby, show uncharacteristic anger toward a coach, or become withdrawn when switching between houses.
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the basketball action and the 'fairness' of the dad's rules. Older readers (10-12) will better grasp the nuance of the parents' failing relationship and Billy's internal struggle for autonomy.
Lupica is a master of the 'sports-first' narrative that sneaks in deep emotional intelligence. This isn't a 'divorce book' that happens to have sports: it is a high-octane sports book that authentically mirrors the internal life of a child of divorce.
Billy Folsom is the star shooter for his travel basketball team, but his world is tilting. His parents have recently separated, and his father, who also happens to be his coach, is pushing him harder than ever. The tension reaches a boiling point when Billy's frustration leads to an outburst on the court, forcing both father and son to confront the reality of their changing family and their expectations of one another.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.