About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is facing the difficult choice between sticking by a struggling friend and fitting in with a high-performing group. It is an ideal choice for kids who take their hobbies seriously but are beginning to feel the weight of peer pressure and team dynamics. The story follows Mike, who recruits his friend Yuri to join his baseball team, only to face a moral crisis when Yuri's poor performance frustrates the more competitive players. This classic Matt Christopher sports novel uses the high-stakes environment of a baseball season to explore themes of loyalty, justice, and the courage required to stand up to a crowd. It is perfectly pitched for elementary-aged readers who are transitioning into longer chapter books. Parents will appreciate how it models a healthy way to handle social conflict without sacrificing athletic passion, showing that being a good teammate starts with being a good person.
