About This Book
Reach for this book when your middle-schooler is grappling with the weight of current events or feeling caught between the conflicting opinions of the adults and older siblings they look up to. Set during the landmark summer of 1969, the story follows twelve-year-old Brody as he navigates the high-stakes world of junior high football while his household becomes a microcosm of the Vietnam War divide. It is a gentle yet honest exploration of how global politics can filter down into the lunchroom and the living room. This is an ideal choice for the child who feels a growing sense of social responsibility but still just wants to be a kid. It balances the heavy themes of justice and protest with the universal milestones of starting a new school, making the team, and finding one's own voice. Parents will appreciate the nuanced portrayal of a father and son who disagree deeply but still share a bond of love, providing a healthy model for navigating difficult family conversations during polarized times.
