About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the 'cost of admission' to a popular social circle or when you notice them distancing themselves from an old friend to fit in with a new crowd. Set against the high-energy backdrop of a summer basketball camp, the story follows thirteen-year-old Tim Daniels as he navigates the complex social hierarchy of sports. It explores the painful tension between the desire for peer status and the quiet guilt of witnessing a friend being bullied. This is an excellent choice for middle-grade readers (ages 8-12) who are beginning to experience the pressure of performative friendship. It models the internal struggle of choosing integrity over 'coolness' without being overly preachy. Parents will appreciate how it uses a relatable sports setting to tackle the heavy emotional weight of shame, loyalty, and the courage required to stand up for others even when your own reputation is on the line.
