
Reach for this book when your child is navigating the complicated emotions of a physical disability or when a sibling is struggling to find their place after a life altering accident. It is particularly helpful for kids who define themselves through sports and may feel lost when they can no longer participate in the same way. The story follows identical twins Michael and Tom, who discover a telepathic connection that allows Michael, who uses a wheelchair, to help his brother lead the football team. While the book features an element of ESP, it is grounded in the deep bond between brothers and the resilience required to stay connected to one's passions despite physical limitations. At under 100 pages, this is an accessible chapter book that offers a hopeful perspective on disability, focusing on what a person can contribute rather than what they have lost. It is a gentle way to open conversations about empathy, teamwork, and the invisible ties that bind family members together.





















Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewReflections on a life-altering accident and the loss of physical mobility.
The book addresses physical disability directly but through a secular lens. While the accident is described as tragic, the focus remains on the present day adaptation. The resolution is highly hopeful, bordering on magical realism, which may provide emotional comfort even if it lacks a strictly realistic medical outlook.
An 8 to 10 year old sports fan who is processing a change in physical ability or a sibling who feels protective and wants to find new ways to bond with a brother or sister after a significant life change.
The book can be read cold. Parents should be prepared to discuss the difference between the 'fantasy' solution of ESP and real world ways to stay involved in sports after an injury. A parent might choose this after hearing their child say, 'It's not fair that I can't play anymore,' or witnessing a sibling feel guilty about their own physical success in front of a disabled family member.
Younger readers (ages 8 to 9) will likely take the ESP at face value as a cool superpower. Older readers (ages 11 to 12) may see it as a metaphor for the deep intuition and emotional synchronicity that exists between close siblings.
Unlike many books featuring disabled characters that focus on medical struggles, Matt Christopher uses the familiar framework of a sports thriller to give the protagonist agency and a 'superpower,' making the topic accessible to reluctant readers. """
Michael and Tom Curtis are identical twins and football fanatics. After an accident leaves Michael in a wheelchair, he must watch from the sidelines. However, the boys discover they share a telepathic bond. By concentrating, Michael can 'send' plays and movements to Tom on the field, effectively allowing Michael to participate in the game he loves through his brother. This culminates in a daring experiment where their mental connection reaches a supernatural peak.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.