About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels discouraged by their own progress or overshadowed by more talented peers. While many sports stories focus on the superstar, this graphic novel centers on Lori, a fourth grader who plays in the fifth quarter, the unofficial period for kids who are still developing their skills. It is a deeply relatable look at the grit required to keep trying when you are not the best on the court. Beyond basketball, the story explores the tension of busy family lives and the awkward transitions of middle grade friendships. Parents will appreciate the nuanced portrayal of a child learning that self-worth comes from effort and internal growth rather than the final score. It is a perfect choice for 8 to 12 year olds navigating the gap between their ambitions and their current abilities.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book handles themes of social anxiety and parental absence (due to work/politics) in a realistic, secular manner. There are mild instances of peer exclusion and social hierarchy, but the resolution is hopeful and grounded in reality rather than wish-fulfillment.
