About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the pressure to perform or feeling like they cannot live up to a family legacy. Whether it is on the sports field or in the classroom, the fear of disappointing a parent can be paralyzing for a young child. Centerfield addresses these heavy feelings through the story of Jose Mendez, a young baseball player trapped in a hitting slump while worrying about his father's legendary reputation as a star athlete. This early chapter book provides a realistic look at performance anxiety and the internal dialogue of a child who feels like a failure. It is particularly effective for children ages 7 to 10 who are starting competitive activities. Parents will find this a helpful tool to open a dialogue about the difference between a parent's love and a child's achievements, reinforcing that their worth is not tied to a batting average or a score.
