About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is struggling with the frustration of losing, blaming teammates for mistakes, or focusing too much on individual glory over collective success. It is a perfect fit for a young athlete who has talent but lacks the emotional maturity to handle the pressure of competition or the necessity of sharing the spotlight. Jared is a high-scoring basketball player who thinks he is the team's only hope, but his anger and 'technical fouls' are actually holding his teammates back. Through a realistic middle school lens, the story explores accountability, the weight of pride, and the process of making a sincere apology. It is an accessible read for ages 8 to 12 that turns a sports story into a meaningful lesson on social-emotional intelligence and collaborative winning.
