About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the pressure of family expectations or beginning to notice that the adults they look up to are imperfect. While the story centers on a high-stakes spades tournament, it is actually a deeply nuanced exploration of what it means to be a man and how to forge an identity separate from a father's shadow. The story follows ten-year-old Ant as he navigates a changing friendship, a new partnership with a talented girl named Shirley, and the discovery of his father's gambling addiction. It is a heartfelt, realistic look at toxic masculinity and family legacy, written with a warmth that makes heavy topics accessible for middle-grade readers. Parents will appreciate how it models emotional honesty and the courage required to break unhealthy family cycles.
